Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Saturday, March 24
Murfreesboro, TN
2 PM
Middle Tennessee
12-10, 0
12
vs
2
Charlotte
13-9, 0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
R
H
E
Charlotte
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
10
2
Middle Tennessee
0
0
2
4
3
0
3
0
X
12
12
0
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Lester, Carson (2-2)
L: Matt Brooks (1-4)
S: Keenan, Zach (1)
Batting:
2B: Dominick Cammarata 1
RBI: Harris Yett 1 ; Drew Ober 1
SF: Drew Ober 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Tommy Bullock 1 ; Reece Hampton 1
Batting:
2B: Woodard, LA 1 ; Dennis, Austin 1 ; Sullivan, Kevin 1 ; Aucker, Aaron 1
HR: Benefield, Blake 1
RBI: Woodard, LA 1 ; Dennis, Austin 1 ; Sullivan, Kevin 3 ; Aucker, Aaron 4 ; Benefield, Blake 3
SF: Sullivan, Kevin 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Woodard, LA 2 ; Dennis, Austin 2 ; Sullivan, Kevin 1 ; Christian, Myles 1 ; Huff, Drew 2 ; Benefield, Blake 2 ; Antonini, Aaron 1 ; Stratinsky, Brett 1
SB: Woodard, LA 1
CS: Christian, Myles 1
HBP: Sullivan, Kevin 1
Game Leaders
Hitting
AB
4
R
2
H
3
RBI
1
cf/rf
AB
3
R
2
H
2
RBI
1
AB
5
R
0
H
2
RBI
4
AB
4
R
2
H
2
RBI
3
Players Mentioned
C
/ BaseballIF
/ BaseballOF/IF
/ Baseball
RHP
/ Baseball
IF
/ Baseball
LHP
/ BaseballIF
/ Baseball
Blue Raiders storm back to beat Charlotte
3/24/2018 5:44:00 PM | Baseball
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Middle Tennessee stormed back from a two-run deficit to defeat the Charlotte 49ers 12-2 on a rainy Saturday in Reese Smith Jr. Field, notching the series even at one game.
Junior right-hander Carson Lester got the start on the mound for Middle Tennessee (13-10, 3-2), his fifth of the season. Lester started off shaky against Charlotte, surrendering hits to the first four 49ers batters and allowing two runs in the initial frame.
However, Lester battled back, retiring nine of the next ten batters faced, and finished the day hurling six innings, allowing two earned runs and striking out four batters.
"I thought he was really good after (the first inning)," said head coach Jim McGuire. "He commanded both sides of the plate, throwing his breaking ball better, and mixing in his changeup as well."
Six innings is the longest outing for Lester this season, while two runs is the least amount he's allowed in a start.
"Carson (Lester) put us in position to succeed, he really held it down for us," said Blake Benefield.
Catcher Aaron Antonini got the Blue Raider rally started in the second inning with a leadoff single, and two batters later LA Woodard doubled down the left field line to put the tying run in scoring position.
Woodard was a force in the leadoff spot, finishing the day 3-for-4 with a walk, double, a stolen base, one RBI and two runs scored.
Kevin Sullivan and Aaron Aucker both drove in a run in consecutive plate appearances to bring the score even. Four Blue Raiders had multiple hits on the day, with Aaron Aucker going 2-for-5 with a double and four RBI.
Middle Tennessee blew things wide open later, scoring 10 runs in the next four innings, pushing their lead to 12-2.
"We were much more focused today," Benefield added "Coach Donnelly sat us down this morning and he really got us going."
Benefield had a dominant day, both in the field and at the plate, making multiple athletic grabs in the outfield that saved extra base hits and preserved the Middle Tennessee lead.
In the batter's box, Benefield finished the day 2-for-4 with a home run, three RBI and two runs scored.
Middle Tennessee aims to win the series in tomorrow's rubber match against the 49ers. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. and LHP Peyton Wigginton will get the start on the mound.
Junior right-hander Carson Lester got the start on the mound for Middle Tennessee (13-10, 3-2), his fifth of the season. Lester started off shaky against Charlotte, surrendering hits to the first four 49ers batters and allowing two runs in the initial frame.
However, Lester battled back, retiring nine of the next ten batters faced, and finished the day hurling six innings, allowing two earned runs and striking out four batters.
"I thought he was really good after (the first inning)," said head coach Jim McGuire. "He commanded both sides of the plate, throwing his breaking ball better, and mixing in his changeup as well."
Six innings is the longest outing for Lester this season, while two runs is the least amount he's allowed in a start.
"Carson (Lester) put us in position to succeed, he really held it down for us," said Blake Benefield.
Catcher Aaron Antonini got the Blue Raider rally started in the second inning with a leadoff single, and two batters later LA Woodard doubled down the left field line to put the tying run in scoring position.
Woodard was a force in the leadoff spot, finishing the day 3-for-4 with a walk, double, a stolen base, one RBI and two runs scored.
Kevin Sullivan and Aaron Aucker both drove in a run in consecutive plate appearances to bring the score even. Four Blue Raiders had multiple hits on the day, with Aaron Aucker going 2-for-5 with a double and four RBI.
Middle Tennessee blew things wide open later, scoring 10 runs in the next four innings, pushing their lead to 12-2.
"We were much more focused today," Benefield added "Coach Donnelly sat us down this morning and he really got us going."
Benefield had a dominant day, both in the field and at the plate, making multiple athletic grabs in the outfield that saved extra base hits and preserved the Middle Tennessee lead.
In the batter's box, Benefield finished the day 2-for-4 with a home run, three RBI and two runs scored.
Middle Tennessee aims to win the series in tomorrow's rubber match against the 49ers. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. and LHP Peyton Wigginton will get the start on the mound.
Facility tour – Stephen and Denise Smith Student-Athlete Performance Center
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Spring Sports Show hosted by The Boulevard – April 21, 2025: Softball and Baseball
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MTSU Baseball 2025 52nd Annual Groundhog Day Luncheon
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