MT takes 11-3 win over SIU

Wednesday, March 18

Reese Smith Field

3:00 PM

Middle Tennessee

Southern Illinois

3/18/2009 5:57:00 PM | Baseball

By: MT Athletic Communications

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - Middle Tennessee rebounded from its loss on Tuesday taking an 11-3 win over Southern Illinois. The Blue Raiders (14-3) had 14 hits on the day with five extra base hits including two home runs by junior Stuart Meinhart. Meinhart ended the day 2 for 5 with three RBI and scored three runs while sophomore Bryce Brentz was perfect. Brentz went 4 for 4 with a home run, four RBI and scored two runs. "Stuart has earned every at-bat, every start and every stitch on his uniform. He is evolving into a leader, one of the tough guys. He has been totally enjoyable to coach and has had to overcome a lot of things. He owns left field right now and is playing very good defense and is being accurate with his throws. He makes coming to work enjoyable," head coach Steve Peterson said. On Tuesday, the Blue Raiders had just two in the line-up with more than one hit but that was not the case on Wednesday as there were five players who had two or more hits in the game. Junior Chad Edwards led the Blue Raiders on the mound as he worked seven innings allowing two runs on six hits with five strikeouts. "Chad has been pitching well getting better every time out. Someone asked why I am not throwing him on the weekend and I told him because I want to win on Tuesday and Wednesday," Peterson said. "Chad beat a good ballclub because you could see if we made mistakes they took advantage and we did Junior Coty Woods and sophomore Marshall Mears each worked one inning in relief allowing one run on three hits between them. The Salukis (7-13) had nine hits on the day with one double and one home run. SIU used six pitchers in the game with starter Brian Pullyblank taking the loss as he allowed four runs on three hits in 1.1 innings of work. SIU scored first putting a run on the board in the top of the first. Middle Tennessee responded in the bottom of the inning scoring three runs on three hits to take a two-run lead. The Blue Raiders added another run in the second after a double by Burnett to centerfield scored McDade from third. SIU cut the lead to two after Elmendorf hit a solo shot to right field in the top of the fifth. Middle Tennessee regained the momentum in the bottom of the inning scoring three runs on three hits to take a 7-2 lead. Middle Tennessee added three more runs in the bottom of the sixth on a sacrifice fly and a two-run home run by Meinhart extending the lead to eight. Middle Tennessee will be back in action on Friday, March 20 at 6 p.m. when it plays host to Florida Atlantic in a three-game series. Live stats and audio will be available on goblueraiders.com throughout the series. Middle Tennessee's games on Friday and Saturday will also be available on 88.3 FM.