Raiders Defeat TSU, 7-1

Tuesday, March 27

Murfreesboro, Tenn.

6 PM

Middle Tennessee

23-10

Tennessee State

3-29

Tennessee State

Middle Tennessee

3/27/2018 8:55:00 PM | Softball

Box Score Box Score Play-by-Play Season Stats Highlights

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – The Middle Tennessee softball team picked up their 23^rd win of the season in a 7-1 victory over Tennessee State on Tuesday night. The Blue Raiders are now 23-10 on the year, matching Head Coach Jeff Breeden's best record in his six year career.

MT got the win behind nine strikeouts from starting pitcher Amber Baldwin. A career high for Baldwin, she threw at least one in every inning of work for her eighth victory of the year. Pattie Ruth Taylor closed out the game in the circle, striking out one.

Middle had a slow start offensively but got things going with a two-run third inning. Back-to-back singles from Claire Smith and Summer Burgess started the rally. Then Morgan Harris delivered another single to score the pair.

TSU cut the lead in half in the next frame of the game. Two infield singles put runners on and then Katie Schneider sent a double down the left field line to score Sarah Snell from second base.

The Blue Raiders were able to pick up at least one run in each of the next three innings to secure the victory.

In the fourth, Middle loaded the bases as Kristin Uselton singled to right field, Deja Portillo sent a single to left and Smith walked. Burgess then beat out an infield hit to put MT up, 3-1.

In the fifth, Harris led off with a bunt single. Then Dani Munoz followed reaching on an error that allowed Harris to scamper over to third. Keely McGee was then credited with an RBI as she sent a sacrifice fly to centerfield that Harris was able to tag up on and score.

Up 4-1, the Blue Raiders had a three-run sixth inning to propel the game out of TSU's reach. Smith earned her second walk of the game and after stealing second scored on a Burgess single up the middle. Up next, Birdsong got aboard on a bunt single and as she stole second Burgess crossed home plate to put MT up 6-1. Harris then smashed her third hit of the night off the left centerfield fence for a RBI double, making it 7-1 in favor of the home team.

Offensively, the Blue Raiders amassed 12 hits with eight coming from the top of the batting order. Harris and Burgess each also earned multiple RBI in the 7-1 win.

Up Next

Middle now turns its attention back to C-USA play as the Blue Raiders head to Birmingham to take on UAB. MT will square off with the Blazers in a doubleheader on Friday, March 30 starting at 3pm and return for the series finale on Saturday at 1pm.