Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Tuesday, March 17
Nashville, Tenn.
4:00 PM
Middle Tennessee
at
Belmont
MT Travels to Belmont for Midweek Tilt
3/16/2015 1:59:00 PM | Baseball
4 p.m. first pitch on Tuesday
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Middle Tennessee (11-6, 3-0 C-USA) will travel to local-rival Belmont (8-8, 2-0 OVC) for a midweek tilt on Tuesday. First pitch at Rose Park in Nashville is scheduled for 4 p.m.
The Blue Raiders are coming off a weekend sweep of UAB to start the league portion of the schedule. MT shutout the Blazers in the first two games at Reese Smith Field, 8-0 and 3-0, before edging out the finale by a run, 3-2.
Middle Tennessee enters week six of the season hitting .279 at the plate, led by sophomore OF Brad Jarreau who is tied for the league's second highest batting average of .397. Jarreau and junior OF Ronnie Jebavy (.368 avg) each have 25 hits to pace the Blue Raiders. Jebavy also leads C-USA with 11 steals on 12 attempts.
Seniors Michael Adkins, Jared Allen and Jake Ingold have supplied the run support. Each one has double-digit RBI totals and the trio is collectively responsible for 47 of the team's 91 RBI.
The Blue Raider pitching staff impressed over the past weekend, giving up just two runs and 11 hits over 23 innings. The group lowered the team ERA from 4.90 to 4.26 heading into Tuesday.
Junior RHP Heath Slatton (1-3), coming off his best outing of the year last Tuesday, will start his fifth game of the season for the Blue Raiders. Slatton recorded a career-high five strikeouts and walked two, while surrendering one-earned run in a narrow 3-1 loss to the Tigers.
Slatton has made three career appearances against Belmont. During his freshman campaign, he started both games against the Bruins. His first career start was at Rose Park on March 19, 2013, when he went four innings, struck out four and walked five while giving up three runs in a 3-1 loss. Later in the season, he gave up three runs and lasted an inning-and-a-third in a 12-9 defeat at home.
Belmont also swept a Sunday doubleheader in its only action last weekend. The Bruins defeated Eastern Kentucky on the road by scores of 11-4 and 8-3. After losing six of their opening eight contests, the Bruins have reversed the trend by winning six of their previous eight.
Through 16 games, the Bruins are hitting .285 overall and have recorded 16 home runs. Belmont ranked second nationally in doubles per game (2.86) entering last weekend. Senior Matt Beaty has been the most productive at the plate for the Bruins, posting a .403 batting average, four home runs, 10 doubles and 23 RBI.
Senior LHP Patrick McGrath (1-1) will start on the mound for Belmont. McGrath enters the matchup with a 6.59 ERA and will make his third start and sixth appearance overall.
Middle Tennessee owns a 38-12 all-time advantage over Belmont. The Blue Raiders have won 12 out of the last 15 meetings, including both games last season. MT shutout Belmont, 4-0, at Reese Smith Field and took the meeting at Rose Park, 13-3.
Tuesday's game will air on 92.5 FM WMOT2. Fans can listen and watch online at GoBlueRaiders.com.
Following the midweek game, Middle Tennessee will head south for a big weekend series at No. 19 Florida Atlantic.
The Blue Raiders are coming off a weekend sweep of UAB to start the league portion of the schedule. MT shutout the Blazers in the first two games at Reese Smith Field, 8-0 and 3-0, before edging out the finale by a run, 3-2.
Middle Tennessee enters week six of the season hitting .279 at the plate, led by sophomore OF Brad Jarreau who is tied for the league's second highest batting average of .397. Jarreau and junior OF Ronnie Jebavy (.368 avg) each have 25 hits to pace the Blue Raiders. Jebavy also leads C-USA with 11 steals on 12 attempts.
Seniors Michael Adkins, Jared Allen and Jake Ingold have supplied the run support. Each one has double-digit RBI totals and the trio is collectively responsible for 47 of the team's 91 RBI.
The Blue Raider pitching staff impressed over the past weekend, giving up just two runs and 11 hits over 23 innings. The group lowered the team ERA from 4.90 to 4.26 heading into Tuesday.
Junior RHP Heath Slatton (1-3), coming off his best outing of the year last Tuesday, will start his fifth game of the season for the Blue Raiders. Slatton recorded a career-high five strikeouts and walked two, while surrendering one-earned run in a narrow 3-1 loss to the Tigers.
Slatton has made three career appearances against Belmont. During his freshman campaign, he started both games against the Bruins. His first career start was at Rose Park on March 19, 2013, when he went four innings, struck out four and walked five while giving up three runs in a 3-1 loss. Later in the season, he gave up three runs and lasted an inning-and-a-third in a 12-9 defeat at home.
Belmont also swept a Sunday doubleheader in its only action last weekend. The Bruins defeated Eastern Kentucky on the road by scores of 11-4 and 8-3. After losing six of their opening eight contests, the Bruins have reversed the trend by winning six of their previous eight.
Through 16 games, the Bruins are hitting .285 overall and have recorded 16 home runs. Belmont ranked second nationally in doubles per game (2.86) entering last weekend. Senior Matt Beaty has been the most productive at the plate for the Bruins, posting a .403 batting average, four home runs, 10 doubles and 23 RBI.
Senior LHP Patrick McGrath (1-1) will start on the mound for Belmont. McGrath enters the matchup with a 6.59 ERA and will make his third start and sixth appearance overall.
Middle Tennessee owns a 38-12 all-time advantage over Belmont. The Blue Raiders have won 12 out of the last 15 meetings, including both games last season. MT shutout Belmont, 4-0, at Reese Smith Field and took the meeting at Rose Park, 13-3.
Tuesday's game will air on 92.5 FM WMOT2. Fans can listen and watch online at GoBlueRaiders.com.
Following the midweek game, Middle Tennessee will head south for a big weekend series at No. 19 Florida Atlantic.
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