Blue Raiders Ground Rockets 9-1

Sunday, March 26

Louisville, Ky.

9:00 AM

Middle Tennessee

Toledo

3/26/2006 10:35:00 AM | Softball

By: MT Media Relations

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Middle Tennessee softball (8-22-1) had a hot day at the plate in a cold setting as the Blue Raiders grounded the Toledo Rockets (7-15) 9-1 Sunday in the final day of the Louisville Classic.

A lead-off single by freshman Justine Cerda started a three run third inning rally for the Blue Raiders. Cerda then advanced to second off a wild pitch by Sierra Pereira and she scored when Katie Mielke doubled to centerfield.

A sacrifice by Samantha Floyd placed Mielke on third and she scored off Pereira's second wild pitch of the inning. With two outs, Muriel Ledbetter drew a walk and then scored when Shelby Stiner hit the first triple of her Blue Raider career.

Toledo pushed across one run in the top of the fifth inning. Trish White, who started the game, gave up a one out single to Jennifer Susman and then walked Sara Agnew. She was replaced by Floyd who gave up a single to Leslie Stong to score Susman for the Rockets lone run of the inning.

Middle Tennessee posted four runs in their half of the fifth inning. Floyd legged out a bunt and then moved to second off a sacrifice by Melissa Weiland. Floyd scored when Ledbetter hit her ninth double of the season. Ledbetter advanced to third on a wild pitch and after Stiner drew a walk, Ledbetter scored on yet another wild pitch by Pereira which also advanced Stiner to second. After Brandi Boehner singled, Stiner scored when Martha Davis reached first off a Rocket error. Boehner scored off an error by the Toledo catcher.

Middle Tennessee forced a run rule on Toledo when Stiner hit a two RBI single with the bases loaded in the bottom of the sixth inning. Floyd and Weiland scored on the play.

White takes the win in the game and improves to 2-7 on the season. Stiner had a big day going 2-for-3 with three RBI and a run scored.

Middle Tennessee returns to action on Tuesday when the Blue Raiders travel to Starkville, Mississippi to take on Mississippi State in a doubleheader. First pitch is set for 2 p.m.