Raiders Fall in First Round of NISC to McNeese

Thursday, May 16

3 PM

Middle Tennessee

29-29

McNeese State

31-30

Middle Tennessee

McNeese

5/16/2019 8:40:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

By: @MTAthletics

Nacogdoches, Texas- The Middle Tennessee softball team dropped the first game of the National Invitational Softball Championship to McNeese 7-3. The Raiders were led by Ryan King, the cater had two hits and two RBI in the losing effort.

The Raiders fell behind early as McNeese struck for two runs on some heads up base running. Justyce McClain and Cori McCrary both had stolen bases in the bottom of the first and both scored on an Aubree Turbeville sacrifice bunt stretching the Cowgirl lead to 2-0.

The Cowgirls stretched their lead in the fourth, plating four runs on three hits and one Raider error. Bringing their lead to a commanding 6-0.

Raiders' starter Kailey Ahlstrom pitched the first four innings and allowed six runs (five earned), on seven hits, and struck out three. Freshmen Corrina Dodd came on in the fifth and went the rest of the way for the Raiders. Dodd pitched two innings and allowed one unearned run in the fifth.

The Raiders remained hitless until the sixth inning when Ryan King led off with a double that bounced off the third base bag. Savanah Freeman came on to pinch run for the Raiders' catcher and scored the first Middle Tennessee run on a Summer Burgess RBI-single. The Burgess bloop cut the McNeese lead to 7-1.

The Raiders showed some life in the top of the seventh inning. With two outs Brooke McClure and Samantha Valentine started the rally with back-to-back singles to center. With two on King singled to right field, and scored both Raider runners nudging the Raiders closer to McNeese 7-3. With the bases loaded to rally came to an end and so would the game.

King ended the game with two hits, two RBI, and shot down a runner trying to steal second. Burgess added to the hit total with two of her own and had an RBI.

The Raiders will be back in action tomorrow at 12:00 p.m. CT in a win or go home match up with host team Stephen F. Austin. The Raiders met up with SFA earlier this season in the Bulldog Kickoff Classic. Middle Tennessee dropped both games to the Jacks in Starkville, Mississippi.