Blue Raiders take win in 9th inning

Saturday, March 7

New Orleans, La.

4:00 PM

Middle Tennessee

New Orleans

3/7/2009 8:22:00 PM | Baseball

By: MT Athletic Communications

NEW ORLEANS - Ninth inning dramatics gave the Blue Raiders a 4-3 win over New Orleans on Saturday afternoon. Entering the top of the ninth, the Blue Raiders (8-2, 1-1) trailed 3-2. Senior Zach Dean hit a pinch hit triple bringing in runners from first and second to give Middle Tennessee a 4-3 lead. "It was huge hit for us. He is a guy that we have used in a number of roles this season. Pinch hitting is the hardest thing to do but he definitely stepped up and got the big hit we needed," head coach Steve Peterson said. Junior Coty Woods entered the bottom of the ninth with a one-run lead and pitched a perfect inning to pick up the save and hand the Blue Raiders the win after earning the loss the night before. "College baseball is so much of guys physically and mentally growing up. Our reliever, who felt like he let the team down on Friday, came out today and got the save. We told him last night we expected him to be back in the same role, hopefully today," Peterson said. Freshman Brett Wilson earned his second win of the season as he worked one-third of an inning allowing no runs or hits. Junior Kenneth Roberts started on the hill for the Blue Raiders working 6.2 innings allowing three runs on six hits. Also working in relief was senior Brett Smalley who worked one inning giving up no runs or hits. The Blue Raiders ended the night at the plate with eight hits, just two more than the Privateers (5-6, 1-1), with just two extra base hits. Juniors Stuart Meinhart and Drew Robertson posted the only multiple hits for Middle Tennessee as each went 2 for 3 on the night. Meinhart had two RBI along with a double while Robertson scored a run. Not one UNO player had more than one hit and only one of their six hits was for extra bases. "It was reversed roles, no difference. They played outstanding defense and we had to earn everything. We had a hit batter in the ninth and then had to earn everything the rest of the way," Peterson said. On the mound, Donnie White took the loss as he allowed two runs on two hits in two innings of work. Joe Zimmerman started the game on the mound working 6.1 innings allowing two runs on six hits. The Privateers scored first on a double down the left field line by Nick Mitchell brining in Jay Morris, who received a base on balls, to take a 1-0 lead. Then UNO scored two runs in the third after a single to centerfield to extend its lead. Middle Tennessee scored its first run on a single up the middle by Meinhart bringing in Brentz from third, who reached after being hit by a pitch, in the fourth inning. Middle Tennessee will round out the series with New Orleans at 1 p.m. on Sunday, March 8.