Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Sunday, May 3
Murfreesboro, Tenn.
12 p.m.
Middle Tennessee
0, 0
7
vs
11
WKU
0, 0
1st innning1
2nd innning2
3rd innning3
4th innning4
5th innning5
6th innning6
7th innning7
RunsR
HitsH
ErrorsE
WKU
0
0
0
0
8
0
3
11
11
0
Middle Tennessee
0
0
2
2
0
0
3
7
8
4
Team Stats
Batting:
2B: Kathryn Downing 1
HR: Brooke Holloway 1
RBI: Larissa Franklin 1 ; Shawna Sadler 2 ; Dani Pugh 1 ; Kathryn Downing 1 ; Brooke Holloway 4
SH: Lexie Norfleet 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Larissa Franklin 2 ; Kayti Hanson 2 ; Shawna Sadler 1 ; Lexie Norfleet 1 ; Dani Pugh 1 ; Kathryn Downing 1 ; Taylor Price 1 ; Brooke Holloway 2
SB: Larissa Franklin 3 ; Carleigh Chaumont 1
HBP: Preslie Cruce 2
PO: Shawna Sadler 1
Batting:
2B: Jenkins, Carlie 1 ; Harris, Morgan 2 ; SHADLEY, Marinna 1
RBI: CORTEZ, Alma 1 ; Harris, Morgan 4 ; Griffith, Megan 1
SH: CORTEZ, Alma 1
Base Running:
RUNS: BIRDSONG, Cor'Nisha 3 ; Jenkins, Carlie 2 ; Harris, Morgan 1 ; Cuccia, Kirstyn 1
SB: BIRDSONG, Cor'Nisha 1 ; Jenkins, Carlie 1
HBP: BIRDSONG, Cor'Nisha 1
PO: CORTEZ, Alma 1
Game Leaders
AB
3
R
1
H
2
RBI
4
AB
2
R
3
H
1
RBI
0
AB
2
R
0
H
1
RBI
1
AB
3
R
2
H
1
RBI
0
Players Mentioned
OF
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
INF
/ Softball
C
/ Softball
1B/OF
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
INF
/ Softball
INF
/ Softball
INF
/ Softball
INF
/ Softball
Blue Raiders Conclude Regular Season on Senior Day
5/3/2015 4:12:00 PM | Softball
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - The Middle Tennessee softball team (22-29, 5-19 C-USA) fought until the end, but it wasn't enough in an 11-7 setback in the season finale against rival WKU (31-12, 16-5) Sunday afternoon at Blue Raider Softball Field.
Starters: Cor'Nisha Birdsong (CF), Alma Cortez (LF), Carlie Jenkins (1B), Morgan Harris (C), Samantha Nieves (SS), Megan Griffith (DP), Kristin Uselton (3B), Austyn Whaley (2B), Kiarra Freeman (RF), Caitlin McClure (P)
Freshman Morgan Harris paced the MT attack with a 2-for-3 showing with two doubles and her second four RBI game of the season. Senior Alma Cortez knocked in a run with a hit, while Griffith notched an RBI as well.
Freshman Cor'Nisha Birdsong recorded a hit and scored three runs, and junior Carlie Jenkins posted a double and two runs. Sophomore Marinna Shadley came in for a pinch-hit double.
Senior Caitlin McClure got the nod inside the circle and tossed four innings while allowing four hits and four runs in her final outing as a Blue Raider. Sophomore Megan Chocallo came in for a brief stint inside the circle to allow four runs on three hits, and junior Kelci Cheney threw the final 2.1 innings and allowed three runs (zero earned) on four hits.
Middle Tennessee had all of the momentum after scoring a pair of runs in the bottom of the third and fourth inning to take a 4-0 lead. Harris highlighted the third frame with a double to left center that scored Jenkins and Birdsong after both runners reached bases with a walk and advanced with stolen bases.
After WKU forcing two straight outs in the bottom of the fourth, MT hit three consecutive singles with two outs that was capped off by a Cortez single up the middle that brought home Freeman. In the ensuing at-bat, the Blue Raiders executed a perfect double steal that allowed Birdsong to hustle home to score.
With Middle Tennessee having all of the momentum, the Hilltoppers' offense came alive in the top of the fifth scoring eight runs on six hits, including a grand slam from Brooke Hollowoway that gave WKU an 8-4 lead.
The Hilltoppers later stretched the lead in the final inning to seven, 11-4, after taking advantage of an error and scoring on a double steal.
But the Blue Raiders wouldn't give up in their final at-bat. Following a Birdsong HBP, Jenkins doubled down the right field line to put two runners on with one out. Harris then came up with another double to knock in both runners and cut the lead to five, 11-6.
Nieves followed up with a singled to centerfield just before Griffith's fielder's choice drove in Harris to close the gap to four, 11-7. However, it was too little, too late as the next batter popped up to rightfield to end the game.
Before the game, Cortez, McClure and Nieves were honored on Senior Day for their dedication and commitment to the program.
Despite a losing season, the Blue Raiders are headed in the right direction after more than doubling their win total from 2014 with the most wins since 2010 (22). MT will look to make some noise next season in conference play with majority of its players returning next season.
Starters: Cor'Nisha Birdsong (CF), Alma Cortez (LF), Carlie Jenkins (1B), Morgan Harris (C), Samantha Nieves (SS), Megan Griffith (DP), Kristin Uselton (3B), Austyn Whaley (2B), Kiarra Freeman (RF), Caitlin McClure (P)
Freshman Morgan Harris paced the MT attack with a 2-for-3 showing with two doubles and her second four RBI game of the season. Senior Alma Cortez knocked in a run with a hit, while Griffith notched an RBI as well.
Freshman Cor'Nisha Birdsong recorded a hit and scored three runs, and junior Carlie Jenkins posted a double and two runs. Sophomore Marinna Shadley came in for a pinch-hit double.
Senior Caitlin McClure got the nod inside the circle and tossed four innings while allowing four hits and four runs in her final outing as a Blue Raider. Sophomore Megan Chocallo came in for a brief stint inside the circle to allow four runs on three hits, and junior Kelci Cheney threw the final 2.1 innings and allowed three runs (zero earned) on four hits.
Middle Tennessee had all of the momentum after scoring a pair of runs in the bottom of the third and fourth inning to take a 4-0 lead. Harris highlighted the third frame with a double to left center that scored Jenkins and Birdsong after both runners reached bases with a walk and advanced with stolen bases.
After WKU forcing two straight outs in the bottom of the fourth, MT hit three consecutive singles with two outs that was capped off by a Cortez single up the middle that brought home Freeman. In the ensuing at-bat, the Blue Raiders executed a perfect double steal that allowed Birdsong to hustle home to score.
With Middle Tennessee having all of the momentum, the Hilltoppers' offense came alive in the top of the fifth scoring eight runs on six hits, including a grand slam from Brooke Hollowoway that gave WKU an 8-4 lead.
The Hilltoppers later stretched the lead in the final inning to seven, 11-4, after taking advantage of an error and scoring on a double steal.
But the Blue Raiders wouldn't give up in their final at-bat. Following a Birdsong HBP, Jenkins doubled down the right field line to put two runners on with one out. Harris then came up with another double to knock in both runners and cut the lead to five, 11-6.
Nieves followed up with a singled to centerfield just before Griffith's fielder's choice drove in Harris to close the gap to four, 11-7. However, it was too little, too late as the next batter popped up to rightfield to end the game.
Before the game, Cortez, McClure and Nieves were honored on Senior Day for their dedication and commitment to the program.
Despite a losing season, the Blue Raiders are headed in the right direction after more than doubling their win total from 2014 with the most wins since 2010 (22). MT will look to make some noise next season in conference play with majority of its players returning next season.
True Blue Testimonials - Senior Catcher Ansley Blevins
Tuesday, February 24
Season Preview - MTSU Softball
Thursday, February 05
Facility tour – Stephen and Denise Smith Student-Athlete Performance Center
Wednesday, July 30
Spring Sports Show hosted by The Boulevard – April 21, 2025: Softball and Baseball
Monday, April 21
