Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Middle Tennessee
Southern Illinois
Blue Raiders host Southern Illinois Tuesday and Wednesday
3/11/2013 4:00:00 PM | Baseball
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - Middle Tennessee looks to carry the momentum from Sunday's 24-4 win over Xavier into a pair of midweek contests versus Southern Illinois. The Blue Raiders will host the Salukis for a 3 p.m. first pitch on both Tuesday and Wednesday at Reese Smith Jr. Field.
MT leads the all-time series against SIU, 14-7, including a 10-4 mark in Murfreesboro. Last year, the two teams split a pair of games in Carbondale, with the Salukis taking the second game to snap a nine-game skid against the Blue Raiders that dated back to 2009.
The Blue Raiders (10-5) dropped the first two games last weekend against Xavier before exploding for 26 hits and 24 runs in the finale. Michael Adkins continues to lead MT offensively with a .389 average, while Ryan Stephens and Johnny Thomas have driven in a team-best 12 runs apiece.
Righthander Garrett Ring will make his third start of the season Tuesday. Ring brings a 4.91 ERA and 0-1 record into the contest. Wednesday's starter remains TBA and will likely be a staff day for the Blue Raiders.
The Salukis (8-6) enter Tuesday's contest with a three-game winning streak after a weekend sweep of Northern Illinois. Matt Jones leads SIU with a .390 average and 15 RBI.
Bryce Sablotny will make his fourth start of the season on Tuesday. He holds a 5.27 ERA and 1-0 record with six strikeouts on the season.
Tuesday's contest will feature the $2 Tuesday promotion with $2 tickets, $2 hot dogs and $2 drinks.
