Raiders Split Sunday Doubleheader

Sunday, February 24

Madeira Beach, Fla.

8 AM

Middle Tennessee

7-7

UAlbany

1-4

UAlbany

Middle Tennessee

2/24/2019 1:09:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

MADEIRA BEACH, Fla. - The Blue Raiders wrapped up their time in the Madeira Beach Invitational on Sunday and split their doubleheader with a win over Albany before a loss to South Dakota.

Game One: Middle Tennessee 4, Albany 2

Three runs in the fifth inning pushed Middle Tennessee (7-7) past Albany (1-4) 4-2 on Sunday morning.

Trailing 2-1, Deja Portillo led off the bottom of the fifth with a single to left field. After a walk moved Portillo to second, Sydney Heath slapped a single into center that brought Portillo home to tie the game at two. Two batters later, Jocelynn De La Cruz dropped a perfect squeeze bunt just a few feet in front of the plate to bring home Summer Burgess from third and put MT out in front, 3-2. The next batter, Lexi Cushing, hit a fly ball to center that was caught, but was long enough to score Heath on the sacrifice fly and make the score 4-2.

Albany held the lead after the top of the fifth when back-to-back singles plated two runs for the Great Danes and gave them a 2-1 lead.

The Blue Raiders opened up the scoring in the third inning when Heath slapped a single on the infield, stole second, and scored on De La Cruz's single.

Kailey Ahlstrom (2-2) got the win for Middle Tennessee after pitching three and two thirds innings and allowing a run on four hits.

Chole Lewis (0-2) took the loss for Albany. She pitched four innings allowing four runs on six hits, two walks, and two strikeouts.

Game Two: South Dakota 3, Middle Tennessee 1

A seventh inning rally fell short on Sunday afternoon as Middle Tennessee (7-8) fell 3-1 to South Dakota (11-4).

MT was down 3-0 as they entered the seventh inning. Jocelynn De La Cruz hit a one out single and was pinch ran for by Cameran McKenry. Lexi Cushing followed with a single of her own and Ryan King made it three-in-a-row to score McKenry from second and make it a 3-1 game. A single from Hailey Bosley would later load the bases with two away, but a strikeout ended the game.

South Dakota scored first with two runs in the bottom of the second inning. Ashtyn Blakeman drove in two runs on a single and give the Coyotes a 2-0 advantage. Jamie Holscher scored their third run with a solo home run in the sixth inning.

Corrina Dodd (3-2) pitched the compete game but took the loss for MT. She allowed three runs on seven hits and two walks, but struck out 11.

Alexis Devers (4-1) also went the complete game for USD and only allowed one run on six hits and struck out one.

News & Notes

MT stole a season high four bases in the win over Albany.
Dodd's eight strikeouts are the most by any Blue Raider in a game this season.
Ahlstrom earned her second win of the weekend and of her college career.
Burgess and De La Cruz have each reached base in four straight games.

Up Next

The Blue Raiders will host Austin Peay on Wednesday in their first home game of the season. First pitch is set for 6pm from Blue Raider Softball Field with free admission.