Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Wednesday, May 8
7:30 PM
Middle Tennessee
29-26
1
vs
0
WKU
37-13
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
R
H
E
Middle Tennesee
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
6
2
Western Kentucky
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
Raiders Survive and Advance to Third Round of Conference Tournament
5/9/2019 12:11:00 AM | Softball
Birmingham, Ala.- The Middle Tennessee softball team upset Western Kentucky in the second round of the Conference USA Tournament. The Raiders (29-26, C-USA 11-13) we're led, once again, by freshmen pitcher Kailey Ahlstrom. The freshmen picked up her second win, second complete game, and thirteenth strikeouts in the first day of tournament play.
In the second game of the C-USA Tournament, the Raiders faced rival WKU (37-13, C-USA 18-6) in a win or go home situation. The Hilltoppers pitched their ace Kelsey AiKey to match up with Ahlstrom. The two pitchers traded blows like heavey weight prize fighters, neither giving an inch to the other.
Ahlstrom didn't allow a hit until the fifth inning when Jordan Vorbrink led off the inning with a single to right field. That would be the only hit Hilltoppers record for the entire game.
"Defiantly my screwball was working and my curve ball in game two were really moving," said Ahlstrom. "I felt like we had the most energy we've had all year, it was electric in the dugout and I think that carried out to our at bats and the team came together when we needed to."
AiKey would be the first to crack in the top of the seventh. With the bases loaded and one out, Jocelynn De La Cruz dropped down a bunt that snuck in between the pitcher and the Hilltopper third basemen. Summer Burgess slid across the plate to give the Raiders the only run they would need braking the tie to 1-0. AiKey allowed one run, on six hits, five walks, and recorded 10 strikeouts in the C-USA Tournament match-up. Ahlstrom allowed no runs, on one hit, three walks, and punched out five.
Sydney Heath remained a tough out in game two, going two for three at the plate. The Murfreesboro product is now six for seven (.857) with a walk and a run in the C-USA Tournament.
The Raiders will face one seed, Louisiana Tech Thursday at 11:30 a.m. CT. Times were changes from their original times due to eminent inclement weather.
In the second game of the C-USA Tournament, the Raiders faced rival WKU (37-13, C-USA 18-6) in a win or go home situation. The Hilltoppers pitched their ace Kelsey AiKey to match up with Ahlstrom. The two pitchers traded blows like heavey weight prize fighters, neither giving an inch to the other.
Ahlstrom didn't allow a hit until the fifth inning when Jordan Vorbrink led off the inning with a single to right field. That would be the only hit Hilltoppers record for the entire game.
"Defiantly my screwball was working and my curve ball in game two were really moving," said Ahlstrom. "I felt like we had the most energy we've had all year, it was electric in the dugout and I think that carried out to our at bats and the team came together when we needed to."
AiKey would be the first to crack in the top of the seventh. With the bases loaded and one out, Jocelynn De La Cruz dropped down a bunt that snuck in between the pitcher and the Hilltopper third basemen. Summer Burgess slid across the plate to give the Raiders the only run they would need braking the tie to 1-0. AiKey allowed one run, on six hits, five walks, and recorded 10 strikeouts in the C-USA Tournament match-up. Ahlstrom allowed no runs, on one hit, three walks, and punched out five.
Sydney Heath remained a tough out in game two, going two for three at the plate. The Murfreesboro product is now six for seven (.857) with a walk and a run in the C-USA Tournament.
The Raiders will face one seed, Louisiana Tech Thursday at 11:30 a.m. CT. Times were changes from their original times due to eminent inclement weather.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Ahlstrom, Kailey (11-10)
L: AIKEY, Kelsey (14-9)
Batting:
RBI: De La Cruz, Jocelynn 1
SH: De La Cruz, Jocelynn 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Burgess, Summer 1
Batting:
SH: SULLIVAN, Kennedy 1 ; CARTER, Paige 1
Base Running:
CS: PLESE, Shannon 1
Game Leaders
Hitting
AB
4
R
1
H
2
RBI
0
AB
3
R
0
H
2
RBI
0
AB
3
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
AB
3
R
0
H
1
RBI
1
Players Mentioned
P
/ SoftballINF
/ SoftballINF
/ SoftballINF/OF
/ SoftballFacility 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
MTSU Softball vs WKU Recap 4/11-13/25
Monday, April 14
MTSU Softball vs WKU Recap 4/11-13/25 2025
Monday, April 14
