Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Saturday, March 21
Boca Raton, Fla.
5 p.m.
Middle Tennessee
at
Florida Atlantic
MT Softball heads south to face Florida Atlantic
3/20/2015 9:59:00 AM | Softball
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – The Middle Tennessee softball team (11-10, 1-5 C-USA) will make the trip to Boca Raton, Fla., for a three-game series at Florida Atlantic (21-7-1, 2-1 C-USA) beginning with a doubleheader Saturday at 5 p.m., at FAU Softball Stadium.
Follow the Blue Raiders: Facebook | Twitter
March 21st
Game 1: @MT_Softball at FAU – 5 p.m.
Live Stats | Live Video
Game 2 : @MT_Softball at FAU – 7 p.m.
Live Stats | Live Video
March 22nd
@MT_Softball at FAU – 1 p.m.
Live Stats | Live Video
About the Blue Raiders
Last Time Out
The Blue Raiders earned their first conference win last weekend despite dropping two out of three in the series against FIU. MT defeated FIU 7-6 in game one of the doubleheader on Saturday thanks to a seven-run fourth inning that was capped off by freshman Morgan Harris' first-career home run that resulted in a grand slam. Freshman Cor'Nisha Birdsong paced MT with a .625 average from the plate to go along with four stolen bases.
Blazin' Birdsong
Birdsong has been hot from the plate in the past six games while also staying aggressive on the base paths. The Chattanooga, Tenn., native is hitting .611 (11-for-18) from the dish with two doubles, four runs scored and eight stolen bases. She is fifth in the nation with 22 stolen bases and is helping MT rank 19th in the nation in swipes. She's also second in Conference USA in stolen bases and fifth in batting average.
Bombs Away!
MT's four home runs in two games on Sunday was more than the first 19 games of the season (two), and the three homers connected in game two on Sunday was the first time since March 29, 2013( UL Monroe) it sent three over the wall.
A Difference a Year Makes
The Blue Raiders have already surpassed last season's win total and through 21 games they are averaging more than 1.5 runs per game compared to last season. Middle Tennessee is also hitting 50 points higher and limiting opponents to hit 15 point less than last season. Additionally, the Blue Raiders have already stolen more bases than last season (43-26).
What to Watch for
Watch for the catchers to have their hands full during the weekend as MT and Florida Atlantic will look to be aggressive on the basepaths. MT and FAU head into the weekend as two of the top three teams ranked in C-USA in stolen bases.
Scouting the Opponent
FAU (21-7-1, 2-1 C-USA) - First C-USA East
Led by Joan Joyce, the Owls own a mark of 5-4-1 in the month of March while boasting a 16-4-1 record at home. FAU most recently took two out of three from Louisiana Tech last weekend to begin conference play. FAU stands at first in the league in hits and second in runs while owning the best team ERA at 2.29 and the third best opposing batting average at .229.Sarah Howell leads FAU with a .385 hitting clip while Melissa Martinez has hit a team-high 31 RBIs. Martinez, along with Laura Mann and Tatum Buckley all lead the team with four home runs. Four players head the pitching staff as all four post ERAs under 3.50. Amanda Wilson's 1.59 ERA leads the Owls while it posts as the second lowest ERA in C-USA. Kaylee Hanson leads the team with an 8-1 record to go along with a 2.52 earned run average.
Series History
The Owls hold a 21-5 advantage in the all-time series while winning the previous six contests. MT's last victory against FAU came in an 11-4 win on the Owls' home field on April 28, 2012.
Up Next: UT Martin
MT will host a midweek doubleheader beginning at 3 p.m., on Wednesday against UT Martin at Blue Raider Softball Field.
Follow the Blue Raiders: Facebook | Twitter
March 21st
Game 1: @MT_Softball at FAU – 5 p.m.
Live Stats | Live Video
Game 2 : @MT_Softball at FAU – 7 p.m.
Live Stats | Live Video
March 22nd
@MT_Softball at FAU – 1 p.m.
Live Stats | Live Video
About the Blue Raiders
Last Time Out
The Blue Raiders earned their first conference win last weekend despite dropping two out of three in the series against FIU. MT defeated FIU 7-6 in game one of the doubleheader on Saturday thanks to a seven-run fourth inning that was capped off by freshman Morgan Harris' first-career home run that resulted in a grand slam. Freshman Cor'Nisha Birdsong paced MT with a .625 average from the plate to go along with four stolen bases.
Blazin' Birdsong
Birdsong has been hot from the plate in the past six games while also staying aggressive on the base paths. The Chattanooga, Tenn., native is hitting .611 (11-for-18) from the dish with two doubles, four runs scored and eight stolen bases. She is fifth in the nation with 22 stolen bases and is helping MT rank 19th in the nation in swipes. She's also second in Conference USA in stolen bases and fifth in batting average.
Bombs Away!
MT's four home runs in two games on Sunday was more than the first 19 games of the season (two), and the three homers connected in game two on Sunday was the first time since March 29, 2013( UL Monroe) it sent three over the wall.
A Difference a Year Makes
The Blue Raiders have already surpassed last season's win total and through 21 games they are averaging more than 1.5 runs per game compared to last season. Middle Tennessee is also hitting 50 points higher and limiting opponents to hit 15 point less than last season. Additionally, the Blue Raiders have already stolen more bases than last season (43-26).
What to Watch for
Watch for the catchers to have their hands full during the weekend as MT and Florida Atlantic will look to be aggressive on the basepaths. MT and FAU head into the weekend as two of the top three teams ranked in C-USA in stolen bases.
Scouting the Opponent
FAU (21-7-1, 2-1 C-USA) - First C-USA East
Led by Joan Joyce, the Owls own a mark of 5-4-1 in the month of March while boasting a 16-4-1 record at home. FAU most recently took two out of three from Louisiana Tech last weekend to begin conference play. FAU stands at first in the league in hits and second in runs while owning the best team ERA at 2.29 and the third best opposing batting average at .229.Sarah Howell leads FAU with a .385 hitting clip while Melissa Martinez has hit a team-high 31 RBIs. Martinez, along with Laura Mann and Tatum Buckley all lead the team with four home runs. Four players head the pitching staff as all four post ERAs under 3.50. Amanda Wilson's 1.59 ERA leads the Owls while it posts as the second lowest ERA in C-USA. Kaylee Hanson leads the team with an 8-1 record to go along with a 2.52 earned run average.
Series History
The Owls hold a 21-5 advantage in the all-time series while winning the previous six contests. MT's last victory against FAU came in an 11-4 win on the Owls' home field on April 28, 2012.
Up Next: UT Martin
MT will host a midweek doubleheader beginning at 3 p.m., on Wednesday against UT Martin at Blue Raider Softball Field.
Players Mentioned
OF
/ Softball
C
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