Raiders Drop Doubleheader to WKU

Monday, April 22

Murfreesboro, Tenn.

4 PM

Middle Tennessee

25-19, 0

WKU

31-9, 0

WKU

Middle Tennessee

4/22/2019 8:36:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

By: @MTAthletics

Murfreesboro, Tenn.- The Middle Tennessee softball team dropped both games of a doubleheader against Western Kentucky. The Hilltoppers (32-9, C-USA 14-3) were powered by six home runs on the day and defeated the Raiders (25-20, C-USA 9-7) in 11 total innings.

Game One: Middle Tennessee 0, WKU 8

In game one the Hilltoppers were led by pitcher Kelsey Aikey. The former pitcher of the week allowed no Raider runs, on six hits, one walk, and pitched all six innings.

The Raiders had chances to score against the Hilltopper ace, reaching base in all six innings, but left all eight base runners stranded.

Brooke McClure extended her on base streak to 18 games with a double to left, during a nine-pitch at bat. McClure's on base streak is the longest active streak on the team and the longest this season.

Freshmen Corrina Dodd started her 11th game for the Raiders this season. Dodd gave up seven runs, on eight hits, with two walks, and picked up a strikeout along the way. Riley Fleming finished out the game for the Raiders and allowed one run on three walks.

Game Two: Middle Tennessee 3, WKU 14

In game two Lexi Cushing hit her 13th home run of the season. The Texas native is one long ball shy of tying the program's single season record, which she set last season. Cushing also had an RBI double and finished the game with two hits, two RBI, and a run scored.

Although, Cushing's home run wasn't the only one of the game. The Hilltoppers blasted four home runs of their own, and catcher Kendall Smith had half of them. Smith finished with three hits, four RBI, four runs, and a walk.

Freshmen Kailey Ahlstrom started for the Raiders, but gave up nine runs, four earned, and allowed six hits. Gretchen Mead and Riley Fleming pitched the final three innings in the five inning run rule loss.

The Raiders hadn't been run ruled sinse March 12th when they played #6 Tennessee in Columbia Tennessee. The Vols beat the Raiders 8-0 in six innings.

News and Notes

After hitting her 13th home run of the season, Lexi Cushing needs two home runs to break the program single season home run record.
Brooke McClure has reached base safely in 18 consecutive games. McClure has the longest active streak on the team and the longest streak this season.

Up Next

The Raiders will play the final game of a three game set with WKU on Tuesday at 1:00 p.m. CT. After WKU, the Raiders will bounce back and play a three game series with Marshall starting with a doubleheader on Saturday at 2:00 p.m. CT. Sunday's game against Marshall will be Senior Day, the Raiders will honor Kirstyn Cuccia and Deja Portillo.