Raiders prep for midweek bout against Vanderbilt

Tuesday, April 3

Murfreesboro, TN

6 PM

Middle Tennessee

Vanderbilt

4/2/2018 3:00:00 PM | Baseball

GAME INFORMATION
Hashtags: #BlueRaiders
Social Media: @MT_Baseball (Twitter) MT_Baseball (Instagram) MTSU Blue Raider Baseball (Facebook)
Broadcast: 100.5/101.9 WGNS & TuneIn App

Date: Tuesday April 3^rd
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Match-up: Middle Tennessee (16-12, 5-4) vs. Vanderbilt (17-11, 5-4)
Location: Murfreesboro, Tenn. @ Reese Smith Jr. Field

Projected Starting Pitcher:

RHP Grant Williams

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – After its conference series win over Old Dominion in Virginia, Middle Tennessee sets its sight on in-state rival No. 15 Vanderbilt Commodores in the friendly confines of Reese Smith Jr. Field.

While the Commodores (17-11) comfortably lead the all-time series, MT got its last win in 2016 at home, 7-4. In that game, the Blue Raiders (16-12, 5-4) scored seven unanswered runs and got multi-hit performances from Austin Dennis and Aaron Aucker.

This season the Commodores have hit a speed bump in recent weeks, losing six games in their last eight contests, including midweek losses to Belmont and Lipscomb.

At the plate, VU are led by sophomore lefty JJ Bleday, who is hitting .372/.467/.526 splits, including three doubles and three home runs. Freshman Austin Martin is also having a strong season at the plate, hitting .341 with seven doubles.

The Blue Raiders have won three of the last four games. MT also has won the last four midweek contests, all against in-state opponents.

Sophomore RHP Grant Williams has gotten the nod on the mound for the Blue Raiders. Williams is 2-1 on the season, with a 4.50 ERA. In his 18 innings pitched, Williams has only allowed nine runs.

At the plate, Middle Tennessee is getting production from its entire lineup. However, no one is hitting better than junior third baseman Drew Huff. Huff, the reigning Conference USA Player of the Week, is riding an eight-game hitting streak.

Over the eight game span, the Murfreesboro native is hitting .486 (18-for-37) with 14 RBI and six runs scored.

Preseason All-American Aaron Aucker is also dominating at the plate this season. Aucker is leading all Blue Raider starters in batting average (.336), doubles (10), home runs (6) and RBI (34).

First pitch against the Commodores is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. in Reese Smith Jr. Field. Fans who cannot attend can get the call on WGNS on 100.5/101.9.