Raiders Lose Extra Inning Affair to Rival WKU

Tuesday, April 23

Murfreesboro, Tenn.

1 PM

Middle Tennessee

WKU

4/23/2019 5:19:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

By: @MTAthletics

Murfreesboro, Tenn.- The Middle Tennessee softball team drops the series finale to WKU at Blue Raiders Field. Despite tying the game late, the Raiders (25-21, C-USA 9-8) could not push past the rival Hilltoppers (33-9, C-USA 15-3).

Middle Tennessee 4, WKU 6

The Hilltoppers jumped out to an early lead in the first inning off a Kendall Smith home run. Smith ended the series against the Raiders with four home runs in the three game set.

Freshmen pitcher, Corrina Dodd would settle in after giving up the Hilltopper bomb and pitch eight consecutive scoreless innings.

The Raiders chipped away though out the game, getting one run back on a wild pitch that scored Summer Burgess from third and another on a single by Claire Smith, cutting the Hilltopper lead to 3-2. Smith ended the game with three hits, in three at bats, a walk, and a RBI.

In the seventh inning the Raiders found themselves down to their final strike with Kirstyn Cuccia at the plate. The Murfreesboro native singled up the middle, scoring Keely McGee from second base knotting the game up at 3-3.

The Raiders had an opportunity to win the game in the bottom of the eighth inning with the bases loaded and no outs, but stranded all three runners. The Raiders left a total of 18 runner on base in the series finale and 29 in all three games.

In the top of the tenth inning the Hilltoppers took a 4-3 lead on a wild pitch. Although, with two outs in the bottom half of the inning, Jocelynn De La Cruz doubled down the right field line scoring Burgess from second base tying the game, 4-4.

However, the Hilltoppers would regain the lead and stretch it to 6-4 in the top of the eleventh inning.

The Raiders' late inning heroics had run out however and Middle Tennessee fell to WKU 6-4.

The Hilltoppers pitching staff neutralized Lexi Cushing's power out of the middle of the Raider line up by walking her six time in the game.

Dodd pitched all 11 innings and finished with 178 pitches and two strikeouts.

News and Notes

Brooke McClure reached base for the 19th straight game. The sophomore holds the longest streak this season.
Lexi Cushing was walked a career high six times in the 11 inning game against WKU.
The 11 inning game with WKU ties the longest game of the season (Mar. 30 at Charlotte 11 innings,) for the Raiders. This was the first time this year that the Raiders have lost in extra innings (6-1).

Up Next

The Raiders look to bounce back and close out their six game home stand against Marshall starting with a doubleheader on Saturday at 2:00 p.m. CT. Sunday will be Senior Day, and the Raiders will honor Kirstyn Cuccia and Deja Portillo before the final home game this season at 12:00 p.m. CT.