Ledbetter Launches Two Homeruns in Blue Raider Win

Tuesday, February 28

Martin, Tenn.

1:00 PM

Middle Tennessee

UT Martin

2/28/2006 7:08:00 PM | Softball

By: MT Media Relations

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - Muriel Ledbetter hit two homeruns to lift Middle Tennessee softball (3-9-1) to a 6-4 win over UT-Martin (7-5-1) Tuesday at Bettye Giles Field. The second game of the doubleheader was called due to darkness with the score tied 1-1. UT-Martin struck first in game one when Bran Whalen reached on an error to start the first inning and then scored off an RBI double by Emily Webb. It didn't take long for Middle Tennessee to answer the run. In her first at bat of the game, Ledbetter stepped up to the plate and hit her first homerun of the season to tie the game at one. It was Ledbetter's third homerun of her career, but it wouldn't be her last. Justine Cerda continued the Blue Raider hitting when she singled to right field and then moved into scoring position by stealing second base. Laura Moore gave the Blue Raiders the lead when her RBI single plated Cerda. Ledbetter would make her presence known again in the top of the fourth inning when she drew a walk, advanced to second on a sacrifice by Cerda and moved to third when Melissa Weiland singled. Ledbetter scored off an RBI single by Katie Mielke. Jennifer Dorais hit an RBI single to score Weiland and Mielke scored off a UT-Martin error. It was no surprise, after the game she had, that Ledbetter was in the mix again in the top of the seventh inning. With two outs, she hit her second homerun of the game, and fourth of her career, to give the Blue Raiders a 6-1 lead. Middle Tennessee struggled to close out the Skyhawks at the end of the game. UT-Martin put together three runs to make things interesting, but relief pitcher Trish White righted the ship and forced a pop up and a ground out to end the inning and the threat. Moore got the win in the game, going four innings with four hits and improving to 2-4. White tossed four innings allowing five hits and three runs. Ledbetter led the team going 2-for-3 with three runs scored and two RBI. Cerda also had a big game going 2-for-3 with a run scored. The second game was less offensive. After three scoreless innings, Middle Tennessee struck first when Kristine Reed drew a walk and scored on a Skyhawk error. UT-Martin tied the game in the bottom of the fifth inning. With one out, Savannah Roberts hit a homerun to knot the game at one. The two teams played through seven innings and remained tied. Impending darkness forced the game to be suspended. Sophomore Ashley Katinas started her second game of the season and went all seven innings. She picked up the no decision, allowing four hits, one run and struck out three. Dorais got the only hit in the game for the Blue Raiders. Middle Tennessee returns to action on Wednesday when the Blue Raiders host Chattanooga at Star Plex. First pitch is set for 2 p.m.