Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Saturday, April 7
Murfreesboro, TN
1 PM
Middle Tennessee
vs
Marshall
Blue Raiders prepare to host the Herd
4/5/2018 5:00:00 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: Friday, April 6 | Saturday, April 7 | Sunday, April 8
Time: 6 p.m. | 4 p.m. | 11 a.m.
Match-up: Middle Tennessee (17-12, 5-4) vs. Marshall (11-13, 1-7)
Location: Murfreesboro, Tenn. @ Reese Smith Jr. Field
Projected Blue Raider Starting Pitchers:
LHP Jake Wyrick
RHP Carson Lester
TBA
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Coming off its first win over a ranked team since 2016, Middle Tennessee shifts its focus towards a crucial weekend series against Conference USA foe Marshall at Reese Smith Jr. Field.
While the two programs have only met 12 times, all since 2014, and the current head-to-head is split at six games apiece, Middle Tennessee took two out of three in Huntington, West Virginia, last season, including an 8-6 win in extra innings in the Friday night game.
This season, the Thundering Herd (11-13, 1-7) are struggling since the open of conference play. Losers of nine in the last 10 games, they have only one conference win in eight tries.
As a team, Marshall is hitting .269 at the plate, including 21 home runs and 37 doubles. Redshirt junior Shane Hanon has been the most dangerous hitter, hitting .349 and drawing 16 walks.
Junior catcher Reynaldo Pastrana flashes the most power for Marshall this season, hitting .313 and posting a team-high five home runs and 22 RBIs.
As for the Blue Raiders, a win over No. 15 Vanderbilt on Tuesday could be the spark that ignites a strong run for the second half of the season. MT has won four of the last five games, and through three conference series, they've showed they can play with anyone.
Preseason All-Conference USA member and All-American Aaron Aucker has lived up to the hype, picking up right where he left off last season. The redshirt senior is hitting .351 at the plate and leads the Blue Raiders in hits (40), doubles (10), home runs (7) and RBIs (36).
However, junior slugger Blake Benefield is not far behind him. Benefield's resurgence at the plate has resulted in him averaging .296 with 34 hits, nine doubles and six home runs. He's on pace to set career highs in all three categories.
On the mound, two-way players Austin Dennis (1.74) and Drew Huff (2.79) currently sit at first and second respectively on the team in ERA. The two have also combined for six saves, while no other pitcher has more than one.
Friday night starter Jake Wyrick has also found his groove on the mound. Coming off his best start of the season against Old Dominion – 6 IP, 2 H, 1 ER and 10 K – Wyrick's ERA sits at 3.03. The senior also leads the team in strikeouts with 44, 19 more than the next closest player.
First pitch on Friday is scheduled for 6 p.m. but could change due to inclement weather in the forecast. Fans who cannot attend are encouraged to tune in to 100.9/101.5 to hear the call on WGNS.
Hashtags: #BlueRaiders
Social Media: @MT_Baseball (Twitter) MT_Baseball (Instagram) MTSU Blue Raider Baseball (Facebook)
Broadcast: 100.5/101.9 WGNS & TuneIn App
Date: Friday, April 6 | Saturday, April 7 | Sunday, April 8
Time: 6 p.m. | 4 p.m. | 11 a.m.
Match-up: Middle Tennessee (17-12, 5-4) vs. Marshall (11-13, 1-7)
Location: Murfreesboro, Tenn. @ Reese Smith Jr. Field
Projected Blue Raider Starting Pitchers:
LHP Jake Wyrick
RHP Carson Lester
TBA
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Coming off its first win over a ranked team since 2016, Middle Tennessee shifts its focus towards a crucial weekend series against Conference USA foe Marshall at Reese Smith Jr. Field.
While the two programs have only met 12 times, all since 2014, and the current head-to-head is split at six games apiece, Middle Tennessee took two out of three in Huntington, West Virginia, last season, including an 8-6 win in extra innings in the Friday night game.
This season, the Thundering Herd (11-13, 1-7) are struggling since the open of conference play. Losers of nine in the last 10 games, they have only one conference win in eight tries.
As a team, Marshall is hitting .269 at the plate, including 21 home runs and 37 doubles. Redshirt junior Shane Hanon has been the most dangerous hitter, hitting .349 and drawing 16 walks.
Junior catcher Reynaldo Pastrana flashes the most power for Marshall this season, hitting .313 and posting a team-high five home runs and 22 RBIs.
As for the Blue Raiders, a win over No. 15 Vanderbilt on Tuesday could be the spark that ignites a strong run for the second half of the season. MT has won four of the last five games, and through three conference series, they've showed they can play with anyone.
Preseason All-Conference USA member and All-American Aaron Aucker has lived up to the hype, picking up right where he left off last season. The redshirt senior is hitting .351 at the plate and leads the Blue Raiders in hits (40), doubles (10), home runs (7) and RBIs (36).
However, junior slugger Blake Benefield is not far behind him. Benefield's resurgence at the plate has resulted in him averaging .296 with 34 hits, nine doubles and six home runs. He's on pace to set career highs in all three categories.
On the mound, two-way players Austin Dennis (1.74) and Drew Huff (2.79) currently sit at first and second respectively on the team in ERA. The two have also combined for six saves, while no other pitcher has more than one.
Friday night starter Jake Wyrick has also found his groove on the mound. Coming off his best start of the season against Old Dominion – 6 IP, 2 H, 1 ER and 10 K – Wyrick's ERA sits at 3.03. The senior also leads the team in strikeouts with 44, 19 more than the next closest player.
First pitch on Friday is scheduled for 6 p.m. but could change due to inclement weather in the forecast. Fans who cannot attend are encouraged to tune in to 100.9/101.5 to hear the call on WGNS.
Players Mentioned
IF
/ Baseball
OF/IF
/ Baseball
OF/IF
/ Baseball
RHP
/ Baseball
LHP
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