Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Wednesday, March 27
Nashville, Tenn.
6 PM
Middle Tennessee
18-16
9
at
2
Tennessee State
5-15
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4
5
6
7
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E
Middle Tennessee
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0
0
1
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9
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Tennessee State
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6
3
Career Night for Kirstyn Cuccia Propels Raiders Over Tennessee State
3/27/2019 11:25:00 PM | Softball
Nashville, Tenn- The Blue Raiders out lasted Tennessee State in a 9-2 win in Nashville on Wednesday. The Raiders (19-15, C-USA 4-2) were led by senior Kirstyn Cuccia late in the game against the Tigers (5-15, OVC 0-4).
Cuccia finished the game with two triples and a career high five RBI's. The Murfreesboro product broke the tie in the top of the sixth innings with a little league home run. Cuccia recorded a triple on the play and scored on a Tiger throwing error, giving the Raiders a 4-1 lead.
"Once I got my hands above the ball, I knew that I would be able to drive it," said Cuccia.
In the next inning with the bases loaded, Cuccia knocked her second triple of the game into the left-center gap, blowing the Raider lead wide open to 9-1.
"Not very often does Coach Breeden bring me to third, but today he did," says the senior.
In the last six games, Cuccia has three home runs, two triples, 11 RBI's, and has improved her batting average 24 points.
"Cuccia came through and had some big RBI's for us," said Raider Head Coach Jeff Breeden. "She and I were talking before the game about last year's Marshall series when she left eight [baserunners] on in that series. Well she didn't leave anybody on today."
In the Raider win, Summer Burgess had two hits in four at-bats and pitcher Kailey Ahlstrom pitched seven innings allowing two runs, on six hits, and picked up four strikeouts along the way.
After Wednesdays' win, the Raiders will return to C-USA play in Charlotte, taking on the 49ers in a three game series beginning with a doubleheader on Saturday. First pitch is set for 2:00 p.m.
Follow all the action on Blue Raider social media: Twitter- MT_softball | Instagram- MT_softball | Facebook- Middle Tennessee Softball
| Middle Tennessee 9, Tennessee State 2 |
Cuccia finished the game with two triples and a career high five RBI's. The Murfreesboro product broke the tie in the top of the sixth innings with a little league home run. Cuccia recorded a triple on the play and scored on a Tiger throwing error, giving the Raiders a 4-1 lead.
"Once I got my hands above the ball, I knew that I would be able to drive it," said Cuccia.
In the next inning with the bases loaded, Cuccia knocked her second triple of the game into the left-center gap, blowing the Raider lead wide open to 9-1.
"Not very often does Coach Breeden bring me to third, but today he did," says the senior.
In the last six games, Cuccia has three home runs, two triples, 11 RBI's, and has improved her batting average 24 points.
"Cuccia came through and had some big RBI's for us," said Raider Head Coach Jeff Breeden. "She and I were talking before the game about last year's Marshall series when she left eight [baserunners] on in that series. Well she didn't leave anybody on today."
In the Raider win, Summer Burgess had two hits in four at-bats and pitcher Kailey Ahlstrom pitched seven innings allowing two runs, on six hits, and picked up four strikeouts along the way.
| News and Note |
- In the past five games, the Raiders' pitching staff has recorded five complete games and have allowed a total of five runs in the past 34 innings.
- With Wednesday's performance against Tennessee State, Kirstyn Coccia doubled the Raiders' season total in triples.
| Next Up |
After Wednesdays' win, the Raiders will return to C-USA play in Charlotte, taking on the 49ers in a three game series beginning with a doubleheader on Saturday. First pitch is set for 2:00 p.m.
| Social Media |
Follow all the action on Blue Raider social media: Twitter- MT_softball | Instagram- MT_softball | Facebook- Middle Tennessee Softball
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Ahlstrom, Kailey (5-5)
L: ESPINOZA, Jessina (0-4)
Batting:
3B: Cuccia, Kirstyn 2
RBI: Slatter, Kaylyn 2 ; Cuccia, Kirstyn 5
SH: Heath, Sydney 1 ; De La Cruz, Jocelynn 1 ; Slatter, Kaylyn 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Burgess, Summer 1 ; Valentine, Samantha 1 ; De La Cruz, Jocelynn 2 ; Freeman, Savannah 1 ; Cushing, Lexi 1 ; McKenry, Cameran 1 ; Cuccia, Kirstyn 1 ; McGee, Keely 1
SB: Heath, Sydney 1 ; Valentine, Samantha 1 ; De La Cruz, Jocelynn 2 ; Freeman, Savannah 1 ; McGee, Keely 1
HBP: Valentine, Samantha 1
Batting:
3B: SNELL, Sarah 1 ; SCHNEIDER, Katie 1
RBI: WEBER, Reese 1
Base Running:
RUNS: SNELL, Sarah 1 ; O'KANE, Erica 1
SB: SNELL, Sarah 1
Game Leaders
AB
4
R
1
H
2
RBI
0
AB
4
R
1
H
2
RBI
5
AB
3
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
AB
1
R
1
H
1
RBI
0
Players Mentioned
True Blue Testimonials - Senior Catcher Ansley Blevins
Tuesday, February 24
Season Preview - MTSU Softball
Thursday, February 05
Facility tour – Stephen and Denise Smith Student-Athlete Performance Center
Wednesday, July 30
Spring Sports Show hosted by The Boulevard – April 21, 2025: Softball and Baseball
Monday, April 21
