Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Sunday, September 22
Murfreesboro, TN
2:00 PM
Middle Tennessee
19
vs
2
Columbia State Community College
Blue Raiders cruise past Columbia State
9/22/2019 5:38:00 PM | Softball
MURFREESBORO, Tenn.— After Saturday's game against Snead State, Middle Tennessee's softball team made adjustments both in the batter's box and in the pitcher's circle, which led to a 19-2 victory over Columbia State on Sunday.
Despite scoring eight runs in the late frames and winning big over Snead State on Saturday, Head Coach Jeff Breeden challenged his team to improve, and the offense answered the call.
"After yesterday's game, I challenged our right-handed hitters to be better and pick up RBIs. I thought we only had two right-handed hitters on our team that were picking up RBIs, and that was [Kailee] Richetto and [Jocelynn] De La Cruz," Breeden said.
"They must've taken it to heart today because we had a bunch of right-handed hitters hit the ball hard."
Seven Blue Raiders had multi-hit games, and three different right-handed hitters knocked the ball over the left field fence for a home run: Kailee Richetto, Lexi Cushing and Lani Rodriguez. A team effort led to the 19 runs scored, as MT's offense recorded at least one run in every inning.
Gretchen Mead got the ball to start the game in the circle. She tossed three innings, giving up four hits and striking out one. Mia Marinakis then pitched a perfect three innings, including four punch outs.
"[Marinakis'] changeup is so good, that it's going to have to be her number one pitch," Breeden added.
"When we had Cori Jennings here, everybody that stepped in the box knew they were going to get a bunch of changeups, but there wasn't anything they could do about. That's the way Mia is going to have to approach every at bat."
MT scored seven in the eighth and three in the ninth to extend the Blue Raider lead, while Juliana Lane and Corrina Dodd pitched the final four innings.
Three more home games remain in the fall season, with Vol State coming to Murfreesboro next on Wednesday, Sept. 25 at 5 p.m.
Follow the Blue Raiders on Twitter (@MT_Softball), Facebook (Middle Tennessee Blue Raider Softball) and Instagram (@mt_softball).
Despite scoring eight runs in the late frames and winning big over Snead State on Saturday, Head Coach Jeff Breeden challenged his team to improve, and the offense answered the call.
"After yesterday's game, I challenged our right-handed hitters to be better and pick up RBIs. I thought we only had two right-handed hitters on our team that were picking up RBIs, and that was [Kailee] Richetto and [Jocelynn] De La Cruz," Breeden said.
"They must've taken it to heart today because we had a bunch of right-handed hitters hit the ball hard."
Seven Blue Raiders had multi-hit games, and three different right-handed hitters knocked the ball over the left field fence for a home run: Kailee Richetto, Lexi Cushing and Lani Rodriguez. A team effort led to the 19 runs scored, as MT's offense recorded at least one run in every inning.
Gretchen Mead got the ball to start the game in the circle. She tossed three innings, giving up four hits and striking out one. Mia Marinakis then pitched a perfect three innings, including four punch outs.
"[Marinakis'] changeup is so good, that it's going to have to be her number one pitch," Breeden added.
"When we had Cori Jennings here, everybody that stepped in the box knew they were going to get a bunch of changeups, but there wasn't anything they could do about. That's the way Mia is going to have to approach every at bat."
MT scored seven in the eighth and three in the ninth to extend the Blue Raider lead, while Juliana Lane and Corrina Dodd pitched the final four innings.
Three more home games remain in the fall season, with Vol State coming to Murfreesboro next on Wednesday, Sept. 25 at 5 p.m.
Follow the Blue Raiders on Twitter (@MT_Softball), Facebook (Middle Tennessee Blue Raider Softball) and Instagram (@mt_softball).
Players Mentioned
1B
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
P/1B
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
UT
/ Softball
2B/3B
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