Blue Raiders Host UT Martin in Midweek Doubleheader

Wednesday, March 25

Murfreesboro, Tenn.

3 p.m.

Middle Tennessee

UT Martin

3/24/2015 10:10:00 AM | Softball

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - The Middle Tennessee softball team (11-13) will host UT Martin (13-13) in a midweek doubleheader on Wednesday at Blue Raider Softball Field beginning at 3 p.m.

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Game 1
Middle Tennessee vs. UT Martin – 3 p.m.
Live Stats | Live Video

Game 2
Middle Tennessee vs. UT Martin – 5 p.m.
Live Stats | Live Video

About The Blue Raiders

Last Time Out
MT fell in all three games last weekend to Conference USA Leader, Florida Atlantic. The offense struggled from the first game as it only mustered up a .172 average from the plate. Junior Megan Griffith, senior Samantha Nieves and freshman Cor'Nisha Birdsong paced the Blue Raiders with two hits.

Non-Conference Success
Despite the rough stretch for MT, the Blue Raiders do own a 10-5 mark in non-conference action and Wednesday is a perfect opportunity to get back to .500. The Blue Raiders are hitting .303 against non-conference opponents (.279 overall) and have allowed more than one run less per game as opposed to conference play.

Getting Back on Track
After the weekend's setback at Florida Atlantic, MT is under .500 for the first time since the beginning of the season. Junior Carlie Jenkins and Birdsong are hitting .458 and .429, respectively against non-conference opponents, while 25 of Jenkins' 27 RBIs are against non-conference foes. Junior Kelci Cheney also has a 2.66 ERA and a 6-4 record with an opposing batting average of .249.

Cheney and Run Support
Cheney's 6-8 record this season doesn't show the consistency that she's brought to the MT pitching staff as the right-hander has allowed two runs or less in 13 of her 17 appearances. In her six wins this season, the team is averaging 7.83 runs per game as opposed to the 2.25 runs per game the team averages in her eight losses.

Tickets on Sale
Tickets for the Blue Raiders' April 8th contest against No. 5 Alabama will go on sale March 30. Fans can call 256-341-4588 while tickets are 10$ each. Tickets will be on sale until all are sold out.

Scouting the Opponent

UT Martin (13-13, 2-4 OVC)
Donley Canary heads a UT Martin softball program that is 13-13 this season while most recently splitting with Tennessee Tech in a doubleheader on Sunday. The Skyhawks have fell in three of their previous four games and have a 6-6 record on the road. Carly Gonzales leads UT Martin with .396 average from the dish to go along with a team-best 23 RBIs. Alicia Hansen paces the 'Hawks with six homers while the team hits an overall average of .278. Elizabeth Wiegand leads a UT Martin that's posted a 4.54 team ERA inside the circle with a 2.86 ERA. She has a team-high six wins and a .274 opposing batting average.

Series History
MT holds the upper hand with a 26-11-1 record in the all-time series while winning four of the previous five matchups. Last season, the Blue Raiders dealt the Skyhawks a 2-0 shutout.

Up Next: UTSA
MT will resume conference play this weekend with a three-game series against UTSA at Blue Raider Softball Field.