Blue Raiders Open Reese Smith Jr. Field With a Historic Outing by Keenan and Link

Thursday, February 20

Murfreesboro, TN

4 PM

Middle Tennessee

1-3

Bradley

0-4

Bradley

Middle Tennessee

2/20/2020 8:35:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score Photo Gallery

By: Brady McBride

Murfreesboro Tenn. – The Middle Tennessee baseball team defeats Bradley 5-0 in a historic day by Zach Keenan and Adam Link. The pair of juniors combined for 8.2 innings of no-hit baseball before allowing a knock with two outs and two strikes in the bottom of the ninth. The two pitchers combined for the first one hitter since Paul Mittura did it in 2014 against Marshall.

"We were just one strike away from a no-hitter, which at this point would have been beautiful, but we're just happy for a win," said Head Coach Jim Toman.

Prior to today's game the Blue Raiders (1-3, 0-0 C-USA) weren't sure they were going to be able to play Bradley (0-4, 0-0 Missouri Valley) in the opening game of the Southern Athletic Fields Classic because of snow.

"We didn't know if we were going to play today," said Toman. "It snowed for two or three hours, so we pushed it back an hour, and then Keenan and Link really pitched well."

Zach Keenan started the game on the hill for the Raiders and allowed no runs, on no hits, and seven strikeouts, before turning the ball over to Adam Link in the top of the seventh. Keenan picked up his first win of the season and moves to 1-1 on the year.

Link slammed the door on the Braves by striking out six and allowing the games only hit with two out in the ninth inning. Link collected his first save in his first appearance out of the Blue Raider bullpen.

DJ Wright provided the offense for the Raiders by blasting a solo home run over the left-center field wall in the bottom of the fourth inning to break an 0-0 tie.

"He's a good hitter and has really been hitting well in our inner squad [scrimmages,]" said Toman about his clean-up hitter. "He's figuring out the division-one hitting… he's a big strong kid and he's going to get his hits."

The Blue Raiders will continue their home stand tomorrow at 3:00 PM CST against Evansville.