Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Middle Tennessee
UTSA
Raiders unable to overcome UTSA's hot start
5/3/2014 7:43:00 PM | Baseball
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - Middle Tennessee was unable to overcome an eight-run third inning by UTSA on Saturday, as the Blue Raiders fell 9-4 to the Roadrunners at Reese Smith Jr. Field.
The Raiders (23-24, 11-12 Conference USA) took an early one-run lead in the second. However, it was short-lived, as a home run and grand slam gave UTSA an 8-1 edge after three stanzas. MT added three runs in the fifth to climb within four. The 'Birds (30-18, 14-9 C-USA) won the series with nine runs on 15 hits and three errors. MT posted four runs on eight hits.
Senior Trent Miller paced the Raiders with a 3-for-5 day, driving in and scoring a run. Miller recorded his 62nd career double, tying Blake McDade for third all-time at Middle Tennessee. Austin Bryant picked up a multi-hit performance with two hits and an RBI. Jake Ingold and Ryan Stephens each collected an RBI in the contest.
Paul Mittura (3-3) took the loss with eight runs allowed on nine hits in three innings. Will Small pitched two scoreless frames. Brent Stockstill allowed a run in two batters faced, while reliever Kooper Kessler closed the door with one hit allowed in the final four innings.
UTSA ace Nolan Trabanino earned a no-decision going 4.1 innings with three runs given up, two earned, on five hits. Wesley Cox (7-1) grabbed the victory pitching 4.2 innings with no runs allowed on three hits surrendered.
The Blue Raiders struck first in the second inning, capitalizing on a pair of UTSA fielding errors. Ingold's RBI single to right field scored Michael Adkins.
UTSA followed up in the next half inning with four runs, including a three-run bomb from Mike Warren. CJ Pickering capped the inning with a grand slam to give UTSA an 8-1 advantage.
Miller notched his 20th double of the year in the fifth to score Hank LaRue in the fifth. Miller moved into a tie for third all-time with 62 doubles. A Stephens ground out scored Miller. Bryant's two-single through the infield cut MT's deficit to 8-4.
The Roadrunners added a ninth run off a wild pitch in the sixth inning. Five players got extra-base hits with Jesse Baker and Horacio Correa III each recording three hits.
Murfreesboro Little League Day is set for Sunday, as MT looks to avoid a sweep with a Noon first pitch. Junior Johnathan Frebis (3-4, 4.47 ERA) squares off against UTSA's Justin Anderson (3-4, 3.30 ERA).
NOTES:
Ryan Stephens made his 171st consecutive start on Saturday, three from tying the school record ... Trent Miller is now tied for third all-time with 62 doubles in his career ... MT lost its first Conference USA series at home this season.
