Blue Raiders Rebound to beat Troy 4-2

Saturday, March 10

Murfreesboro, Tenn.

3:00 PM

Middle Tennessee

Troy

Photo by: MT

3/10/2007 6:35:00 PM | Softball

By: David Powell

MURFREESBORO, TENN. - Middle Tennessee (12-14, 3-2 Sun Belt) exacted revenge and picked up the victory over the Troy Trojans (15-6, 1-1 Sun Belt) by a final score of 4-2 in the second game of a doubleheader at Blue Raider Field on Saturday. After dropping the first game of the doubleheader 12-1, Middle Tennesee came back from a one run deficit and scored three runs in the final two innings to hold on to the victory. Starter Lindsey Vander Lugt (8-9) worked a complete game to get the win, scattering seven hits while allowing just two runs and striking out five to lead the Blue Raider charge. Troy starter Angela Lopez (5-2) picked up the loss, allowing four runs on seven hits in 5.1 innings, striking out four and walking two. Troy opened the first inning where they left off from the previous game as Courtney Davis hit a double to right center Stacey Dwyer off a two-out pitch from Lindsey Vander Lugt. The Blue Raider pitcher, making her 17th start of the season, struck out the next batter to end the inning. The home team began the 2nd inning determined to show the offensive output that the Trojans enjoyed during the first game of the day was a fluke. The Blue Raiders provided a highlight reel play when they turned a 1-4-3 double play to end the inning on an emphatic note. Middle Tennessee looked to respond in their half of the 2nd inning. Martha Davis hit a pop up that landed just inside the left field line before a Shelby Stiner walk. Melissa Weiland looked to have the response but the wind was unkind as her fly ball to center field landed just a few feet from outfield wall and in the glove of Dwyer. After a hitless top half of the third inning, the Blue Raiders looked to turn the game in their favor. Caitlin McClure got her first hit of the game, third of the day, with a single to left field. Katie Mielke doubled to right center and McClure scored on an error by Dwyer to knot the game at 1-1. Mielke had two hits and one RBI to lead the Blue Raider offense. After both teams posted a scoreless 4th inning and Troy was held hitless by Vander Lugt in the 5th and Middle Tennessee had a chance to take the lead. Pinch hitter Jessia Ives hit a two-out double off the right field wall. Mielke stepped up to the plate with a chance to give the Blue Raiders their first lead of the day and she did not disappapoint with a shot to left field giving MT a 2-1 lead. Pinch hitter Kristine Reed flied out to left field to end the inning. Troy immediately answered in the sixth inning as Dwyer homered to tie the game 2-2. It could have been worse but Vander Lugt showed excellent poise causingJessica Lyle to fly out to left field and Davis foul out to end the inning. This competitive game was decided in the bottom of the sixth inning. Ashley Cline single through the left before Martha Davis hit a sacrifice bunt to advance Cline to second and putting her in scoring positition. Troy starter Lopez hit Stiner with her next pitch and things got interesting. On the next pitch both Cline and Stiner advanced on a double steal but the ball was bobbled by the third-baseman allowing Cline to score and Stiner to advance to third base. Melissa Weiland singled up the middle to plate Stiner. Middle Tennessee ended the inning leading 4-2. Troy would threaten in the 7th inning and load the bases before Johnson grounded out to Cline to end the game and give Middle Tennessee a 4-2 victory over Troy. In the first game of the doubleheader Samantha Floyd gave up six runs in an inning of work and Caitlin McClure had two hits and a run as the Blue Raiders dropped the first game of the day to the Trojans by a final score of 12-1. The Blue Raiders will complete the third and final game of the series on Sunday at Noon. Don't forget to set your clocks forward!