MT Wins Series Over WKU with Extra Innings Victory

Sunday, March 18

Bowling Green, Ky.

1 PM

Middle Tennessee

20-9, 3-3

WKU

18-11, 3-3

Middle Tennessee

WKU

3/18/2018 4:41:00 PM | Softball

Box Score Box Score Play-by-Play Season Stats C-USA Stats WKU Series Stats

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – The Middle Tennessee softball team picked up the series win over WKU on Sunday afternoon. The Blue Raiders had a come from behind 5-2 extra innings win over the Hilltoppers. MT won the series, 1-2.

The Blue Raiders are now 20-9, 3-3 on the year. This is already more wins than the whole 2017 season. WKU falls to 18-11, 3-3.

Cori Jennings earned the win in the circle, her second of the weekend. She pitched the complete game, giving up just four hits while striking out four.

The Hilltoppers struck first in the contest, scoring one run in the bottom of the third. Brittany Vaughn got a leadoff walk and came around to score on a double down the left field line.

In the top of the fourth though, the Blue Raiders powered back. Morgan Harris slammed a solo home run, her first of the year, over the left field fence to tie the game at one apiece. The Blue Raiders kept the rally going, as Danielle Munoz, Kirstyn Cuccia and Keely McGee all walked to load the bases. A 13 pitch at bat followed that ultimately ended in WKU's favor to strand three for MT and keep the game tied.

WKU retook the lead in the bottom of the fifth. After a walk and a sacrifice bunt, Paige Carter sent a single to left field to score a run and give the Hilltoppers a one-run lead.

In the next half inning, Middle had a chance with two aboard. Claire Smith walked and Kristin Uselton followed with a bunt single. However, WKU was able to retire the next three Blue Raiders to hang onto the 2-1 lead.

In the top of the seventh, the Blue Raiders came back to tie the game. Precious Birdsong used her speed to get on base on an infield single. Then after a sacrifice bunt, she scored from second base as Harris sent a single up the middle.

Tied 2-2, Jennings struck out the final WKU batter of regulation to send the game to extra innings.

The Blue Raiders struck in the top of the eighth. Cuccia sent a single to right field and Brooke McClure came into pinch run. Summer Burgess came up with two outs and sent a single to left field. Then, Birdsong delivered a well-placed shallow single to centerfield. McClure scored from second base to put MT up 3-2. Jocelynn De La Cruz extended MT's lead to 5-2 with a double to right center field.

WKU got a hit in the top of the eighth but that would be the extent of it as Burgess and Smith caught line drives in the infield. Cuccia also made a diving catch in right field that secured MT's 5-2 win.

Up Next

The Blue Raiders return to action on Wednesday, March 21 at Belmont. MT takes on the Bruins in Nashville at 5 p.m.