Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Saturday, September 21
Murfreesboro, TN
2:00 PM
Middle Tennessee
14
vs
7
Snead State Community College
MT scores eight late runs to seal win
9/21/2019 5:42:00 PM | Softball
MURFREESBORO, Tenn.— Jocelynn De La Cruz homered twice, and nearly every active Blue Raider saw the field in Saturday's 10-inning game against Snead State, which ended with Middle Tennessee on top, 14-7.
Snead State led 7-6 after seven innings, but the Blue Raider depth prevailed, as MT plated two runs in the eighth and six runs in the ninth.
Mia Marinakis started in the circle for the Blue Raiders, striking out three and giving up four runs in four innings of work. Coming on in relief in the fifth was Gretchen Mead, who faced only eight batters through 2.1 before giving up three Snead State runs in the seventh.
Freshman Juliana Lane then went through the final three innings without giving up a hit and only allowing one baserunner. The San Diego native is the only MT pitcher to make an appearance in all three fall games.
"We can't give up 11 hits in the first four innings," Head Coach Jeff Breeden said after Saturday's game. "I thought Lane did a good job for us coming on in relief. She's shown good for us so far, and I think we'll be able to depend on her as well."
Offensively, De La Cruz started off the game's scoring with a two-run blast in the bottom of the first. Then, in the ninth inning, De La Cruz sent another ball over the left field fence, that time with the bases loaded.
"Jocelynn's been having a few issues this fall, but she was feeling good today. She came up big for us and had a good day at the plate," Breeden added.
Sydney Heath (3-3) and Kailee Richetto (3-5) were the only Blue Raiders with three hits in the contest, combining for six singles in the final four innings.
"Richetto is one of our most reliable hitters," Breeden said of the freshman from Mt. Juliet. "She's doing a great job of picking up RBIs, and she'll have a place in our lineup if she continues to do what she's doing."
MT will hit the field again tomorrow (Sunday, Sept. 22) at 2 p.m., as the Blue Raiders host Columbia State.
Follow the Blue Raiders on Twitter (@MT_Softball), Facebook (Middle Tennessee Blue Raider Softball) and Instagram (@mt_softball).
Snead State led 7-6 after seven innings, but the Blue Raider depth prevailed, as MT plated two runs in the eighth and six runs in the ninth.
Mia Marinakis started in the circle for the Blue Raiders, striking out three and giving up four runs in four innings of work. Coming on in relief in the fifth was Gretchen Mead, who faced only eight batters through 2.1 before giving up three Snead State runs in the seventh.
Freshman Juliana Lane then went through the final three innings without giving up a hit and only allowing one baserunner. The San Diego native is the only MT pitcher to make an appearance in all three fall games.
"We can't give up 11 hits in the first four innings," Head Coach Jeff Breeden said after Saturday's game. "I thought Lane did a good job for us coming on in relief. She's shown good for us so far, and I think we'll be able to depend on her as well."
Offensively, De La Cruz started off the game's scoring with a two-run blast in the bottom of the first. Then, in the ninth inning, De La Cruz sent another ball over the left field fence, that time with the bases loaded.
"Jocelynn's been having a few issues this fall, but she was feeling good today. She came up big for us and had a good day at the plate," Breeden added.
Sydney Heath (3-3) and Kailee Richetto (3-5) were the only Blue Raiders with three hits in the contest, combining for six singles in the final four innings.
"Richetto is one of our most reliable hitters," Breeden said of the freshman from Mt. Juliet. "She's doing a great job of picking up RBIs, and she'll have a place in our lineup if she continues to do what she's doing."
MT will hit the field again tomorrow (Sunday, Sept. 22) at 2 p.m., as the Blue Raiders host Columbia State.
Follow the Blue Raiders on Twitter (@MT_Softball), Facebook (Middle Tennessee Blue Raider Softball) and Instagram (@mt_softball).
Players Mentioned
3B
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
P/1B
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
UT
/ 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
