Blue Raiders return to Reese for annual Mule Mix

Friday, February 23

Murfreesboro, TN

3 PM

Middle Tennessee

Fairleigh Dickinson

2/22/2018 2:00:00 PM | Baseball

By: MT Athletic Communication Staff

GAME INFORMATION
Hashtags: #BlueRaiders
Social Media: @MT_Baseball (Twitter) MT_Baseball (Instagram) MTSU Blue Raider Baseball (Facebook)
Broadcast: 92.3 WMOT & TuneIn App

Date: Fri. Feb. 23, Sat. Feb. 24, Sun. Feb. 25
Time: 3:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m., 1:00 p.m.
Match-up: Middle Tennessee (3-1) vs. Fairleigh Dickinson (Fri.)/vs. Indiana State (Sat.)/vs. Kent State (Sun.)
Location: Murfreesboro, Tenn. @ Reese Smith Jr. Field

Projected Starting Pitchers:
Fri: LHP Jake Wyrick
Sat: RHP Andy Rivera
Sun: LHP Peyton Wigginton

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – The Blue Raiders return back to Murfreesboro for the annual Mule Mix Classic against Fairleigh Dickinson, Indiana State and Kent State at Reese Smith Jr. Field.

Fairleigh Dickinson – inaugural matchup
After a 12-34 season last year, Fairleigh Dickinson has yet to suit up in 2018. The Knights return five starters in the field but only one starting pitcher in their rotation. While junior Corey Zeller started 13 games last season, compiling a 2-7 record and a 7.81 ERA, freshman Trent Valentine is penciled in as the Knights starting pitcher. The Knights best position player, sophomore outfielder Mike Veit, was a College Baseball Freshman All-American winner last season. At the plate, Veit hit .382 with a .439 on-base percentage.

Indiana State – Sycamores lead 17-7-4
The Sycamores came out of the Marucci Desert Classic last weekend with a 2-2 record, including a win over Loyola Marymount, a loss to Oregon and a split with host UNLV. Similarly, Indiana State finished last season 29-26, and while they return 15 letterwinners from last year's team, they also have 20 newcomers. Triston Polley threw last Saturday, going 6.0 innings without an earned run and could be the Sycamores starter again this Saturday.

Kent State – Blue Raiders lead 5-3
The conclusion of the Mule Mix Classic comes against Kent State. The Golden Flashes won the regular season title and return seven starters from that team. However, this season they're off to a rocky start, only winning one game in their series against Sam Houston State. For the Blue Raiders, freshman left-hander Peyton Wigginton is slated as the starter and he dazzled last weekend in his first collegiate appearance on the mound. In his winning effort last Saturday, Wigginton threw six scoreless innings and fanned seven batters.

The Blue Raiders hope their balance of pitching and hitting will lead them to a victorious weekend. In their first four games, MT has only allowed more than four runs to their opponent once.

Similarly, MT has scored more than four runs twice. The Blue Raiders did not get the result they were hoping for against Alabama in their midweek game, but still held the Tide's offense in check for most of the game.

First pitch on Friday is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. in Reese Smith Jr. Field and fans can tune in to the radio broadcast via WGNS to hear the legend Dick Palmer on the call.