Darlington hits two home runs in slamming of UNO

Sunday, March 8

New Orleans, La.

1:00 PM

Middle Tennessee

New Orleans

3/8/2009 3:50:00 PM | Baseball

By: MT Athletic Communications

NEW ORLEANS - Junior Ben Darlington guided the Blue Raiders at the plate with two-three run home runs on Sunday in a 12-2 rout of New Orleans to take the series win. Middle Tennessee (9-2, 2-1 SBC) had 10 hits on the day including four home runs, which were the only extra base hits. Darlington ended the day 2 for 3 with six RBI and scored three runs. Junior Stuart Meinhart also performed well at the plate for Middle Tennessee as he ended the day 3 for 5 with one RBI and scored two runs. Sophomore Tyler Burnett posted the only other multiple hit outing as he was 2 for 3 with a home run, one RBI and scored two runs. Sophomore Jud Stoltz took the win on the mound working six innings allowing no runs on three hits with four strikeouts. UNO's Jay Morris had the best outing at the plate as he went 3 for 4 scoring a run. UNO (5-7, 1-2 SBC) had eight hits with Morris having the only multiple hit performance while Nick Schwaner and Ryan Eden had the only multiple base hits with a triple and home run respectively. Middle Tennessee got the offense started early scoring a run after a single by Meinhart. Then Darlington stepped to the plate and hit a three-run home run to left field putting the Blue Raiders up 4-0 in the second inning. Meinhart earned another RBI after his single up the middle scored Robertson from second giving the Blue Raiders a five-run lead in the third. In the fifth, Darlington launched his second three-run home run of the day to extend the Blue Raider lead with one out in the inning. Then Burnett hit a two-out solo home run to right field. The Blue Raiders scored four runs on two hits in the inning to take a 9-0. Ryan Eden hit a solo home run in the bottom of the sixth to put UNO on the board. Then Nick Schwaner hit a triple bringing in Jay Morris who singled closing the gap to seven. Brentz hit a two-run shot of his own to left field making it 11-2 in favor of the Blue Raiders. Middle Tennessee's final run came after sophomore Justin Miller was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded bringing in Darlington who was also hit by a pitch. The Blue Raiders will be back in action on Wednesday, March 11 when they play host to Lipscomb at 3 p.m. at Reese Smith Jr. Field. Live stats will be available on goblueraiders.com.