Blue Raiders Take Two to Open Alabama Weekend

Friday, February 16

Montgomery, Ala.

9:30 AM

Middle Tennessee

3-4

Holy Cross

0-1

Middle Tennessee

Holy Cross

2/16/2018 7:01:00 PM | Softball

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MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Middle Tennessee softball team opened play at the Black and Gold Tournament with wins over Holy Cross, 4-2, and Fort Wayne, 9-2.

Jocelynn De La Cruz and Lexi Cushing recorded the first two Blue Raider home runs of the season, both coming in the third inning against Fort Wayne.

The Blue Raiders also stole nine bases in the win over Holy Cross, which is good for second in program history; Burgess stole three of those bases, which puts her tied for second all-time for stolen bases in a single game.

The Blue Raiders improve to 4-4 on the year following the first day of action on the weekend.

Game One: MT 4, Holy Cross 2

The Blue Raiders jumped out to a quick lead as Summer Burgess, the leadoff batter got aboard in the top of the first with a single to left field. She stole second and then scored as Morgan Harris sent a ball through the right side of the infield. Harris also stole second and made it 2-0 via a single up the middle from Cushing.

The Crusaders got one back in the bottom half of the inning, stringing together back-to-back doubles.

In the third, Middle added to their lead. Samantha Valentine got aboard on a bunt single, after stealing second she moved to third as Cushing again hit a single. Then Cushing stole second and Valentine crossed the plate as the Crusaders attempted to get the out across the diamond.

In the fourth, Holy Cross threatened with two doubles again, cutting MT's lead to 3-2. Pattie Ruth Taylor then entered the game in the circle and recorded a strikeout to end the inning.

The Blue Raiders gave themselves a one-run cushion in the fifth. De La Cruz singled to right field with two outs. Brooke McClure came into pinch run, and made her around the bases on a stolen base, infield single, and then scored as Cushing hit another single up the middle.

Taylor kept the Crusaders at bay to close out the game and recorded her first win of the season. Greer, the starting pitcher, struck out two in the contest.

Cushing went 3-for-3 with two RBI while Kirstyn Cuccia recorded the first Blue Raider triple of the season in the top half of the sixth.

Game Two: MT 9, Fort Wayne 2

The Mastodons got on the board first in game two, picking up two runs in the bottom of the first. A bunt single followed by a double down the right field line and a single to left field put Fort Wayne ahead early.

Middle got one back in the top of the second on back-to-back doubles from Cushing and Kristin Uselton.

Then the Blue Raider bats came alive in the top of the third as De La Cruz blasted a two-run home run over the fence in left center and Cushing followed with a solo shot to deep center field.

The runs kept rolling in the top of the fourth as MT loaded the bases on two bunt singles from Keely McGee and Valentine and a shot through the left side off the bat of Burgess. McGee then scored on a ground out from De La Cruz and Burgess scored on a failed pickoff attempt. Harris then sent a ground out to second to make it 7-2 in favor of the Blue Raiders.

Middle added two more in the top of the fifth. Cuccia started it off, reaching on a single through the right side. She scored as McGee blasted a double to the fence in left field. McGee made it 9-2 as Harris sent a sharp drive down the left field line.

The Blue Raiders were able to put away the Mastodons in the following innings to win, 9-2.

Jennings recorded the win in the circle, her first of the season. She struck out three in six innings of work. Amber Baldwin closed out the game for MT.