MT opens three-game series vs. WKU on national TV

Friday, May 1

Murfreesboro, Tenn.

7:00 PM

Middle Tennessee

WKU

Photo by: Kaitlyn Hungerford/MT Athletic Communications

5/1/2015 11:52:00 AM | Baseball

Tonight's game on Fox Sports 2

By: @MTAthletics

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Reese Smith Jr., Field will play host to Middle Tennessee's first nationally-televised baseball broadcast when the Blue Raiders face rival WKU.

First pitch is 7:02 p.m. in a game that will be broadcast nationally on Fox Sports 2. Ron Thulin has the call and former Phillies pitcher Pat Combs is the analyst.

Not only will the game be historic in regard to the national broadcast, but a longstanding record will fall when Middle Tennessee starter Johnathan Frebis takes the mound opposite the Hilltoppers.

Frebis will be making his 56^th career start breaking the mark of 55 held by Chris Norton and established from 1985-88. The mark had stood 27 years before Frebis, a Murfreesboro native, has come along and established a new standard.

The record demonstrates qualities of longevity, dependability, reliability and being able to stay healthy.

"Johnathan has anchored the pitching staff for us this season," Middle Tennessee Head Coach Jim McGuire said. "He has been a great leader and great teammate. A lot of things have to happen to break a career record, especially one that has stood as long as the career starts by a pitcher. (Frebis) has been reliable and had a strong work ethic and that has aided him."

Middle Tennessee (25-20, 15-6) enters the three-game series against WKU (23-20, 9-12) tied with Florida Atlantic atop the C-USA standings. The Blue Raiders own the tiebreaker having taken two-of-three from the Owls earlier this season.

It marks a pivotal series as the teams come down the stretch. Middle Tennessee has three conference series remaining, including this one against WKU.

McGuire says tonight's game enables the Blue Raiders to showcase their program and facilities to a national television audience in the midst of a pennant chase.

"This is great exposure for our program," McGuire said. "We have not had a national broadcast from our stadium before so this is a big deal for us and we need to go out and play well and represent ourselves, our school and our community. As far as the game, it really is more about us taking care of what we do."