Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Middle Tennessee
2-0
Western Illinois
0-2
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Holcombe, Tyler (1-0)
L: Javin Drake (0-1)
Batting:
2B: Steve McShane 1
RBI: Deion Thompson 2 ; Wyatt Meyer 1 ; CJ Schaeffer 1 ; Dillon Sears 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Steve McShane 1 ; Johnathan Fleek 2 ; CJ Schaeffer 2 ; Grant Hannant 1 ; Dillon Sears 1
SB: Steve McShane 1 ; Deion Thompson 1
Batting:
2B: Christian, Myles 1
3B: Woodard, LA 1
HR: Aucker, Aaron 1
RBI: Woodard, LA 2 ; Dennis, Austin 2 ; Kemp, Ryan 2 ; Aucker, Aaron 2 ; Christian, Myles 1 ; Hagenow, Jake 1
SF: Dennis, Austin 1 ; Kemp, Ryan 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Woodard, LA 2 ; Dennis, Austin 2 ; Huff, Drew 2 ; Aucker, Aaron 2 ; Christian, Myles 1 ; Benefield, Blake 1 ; Hagenow, Jake 1
SB: Woodard, LA 2 ; Dennis, Austin 2
CS: Huff, Drew 1
Game Leaders
Players Mentioned
Blue Raiders win series vs. WIU, 11-7
2/18/2018 4:55:00 PM | Baseball
Veterans, newcomers big in victory
Blue Raider hitters used 10 hits, three for extra bases, to secure the victory. A pair of mainstays and three newcomers accounted for all but one of the 10 hits.
Preseason All-America candidate Aaron Aucker had the big bat as he belted Middle Tennessee's first home run of the season, a colossal two-run blast off of the Lee Victory Wall in left field. Aucker was 1-for-2 with two RBI and two runs scored.
Another returner, Austin Dennis, also was impressive with a 1-for-2 performance that included two runs scored and a pair of RBI. Dennis also swiped a pair of bases. Junior third baseman Drew Huff was 1-for-3 with two runs scored.
Newcomers continued to make an immediate impact as junior shortstop LA Woodard, and freshmen Myles Christian and Jake Hagenow combined to go 7-for-12 with four RBI and four runs scored. All three enjoyed the first multi-hit games of their career.
Woodard led the charge with a 3-for-5 effort that included a triple, two RBI and two runs scored. The electrifying Woodard also flashed his speed and proved to be a disruptive force on the basepaths with a pair of stolen bases.
Christian continued his strong play early with a 2-for-3 effort that included a double – the rookie's first extra-base hit. Hagenow made his first start behind the plate and was exceptional handling six different Blue Raider hurlers, while also enjoying several quality at-bats. He finished 2-for-4 with one run scored and one RBI.
Tyler Holcombe (1-0) earned the win in relief of starter Andy Rivera. The righty battled through 4-2/3 innings, scattering seven hits, but allowing just two runs.
Middle Tennessee jumped out to a 1-0 lead after the first. After Western Illinois tied the score 1-1 in the second, the Blue Raiders scored seven unanswered runs to go on top 8-1 after four innings.
