Blue Raiders Drop Series Opener at UTSA

Friday, April 9

San Antonio, TX

6:00 PM

Middle Tennessee

15-12-1, 4-4-1

UTSA

12-11, 4-4

Middle Tennessee

UTSA

4/9/2021 10:08:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

By: @MTAthletics

SAN ANTONIO, Texas – The Middle Tennessee baseball team dropped the first game of a four-game series to UTSA, 7-6. The Blue Raiders (15-12-1, C) fought back to take the lead in the late innings, but couldn't out last the UTSA (12-11, C-USA 4-4) offensive attack.

The game was looking like a pitchers duel until junior Brian Dillingham kicked off the scoring with a two-run home run to deep left field in the top of the fifth inning. Dillingham's two-run long ball was the first of his career as a Blue Raider and the Bradenton, Florida native finished the game 1-for-4 at the dish.

After allowing a hit in the first inning, Blue Raider starting pitcher Aaron Brown retired 14 straight and cruised through the first five innings. Brown allowed just one hit, walked none, and fanned six Roadrunner batters through the first half of the game, but ran into trouble beginning in the sixth.

Brown allowed three singles and a pair of runs in the bottom of the sixth that tied the game, 2-2.

In the next inning, the Road Runners tagged back-to-back solo shots to leadoff the seventh and take a 4-2 lead.

Brown left the game after six innings pitched, allowed five runs on six hits, and struck out seven.

The Blue Raiders mounted a comeback in the top of the eighth, striking for four runs on two hits and three UTSA errors to take a 6-5 lead into the bottom half on the inning.

However, the Roadrunners offense turned on once again adding a pair of runs to their total on four hits to regain the lead, 7-6.

Blue Raider first baseman Daniel Freeman drew a walk to leadoff the ninth inning, but MT couldn't bring him around to score, losing the opening game of the series.

MT and UTSA will be back at it again tomorrow with a Saturday doubleheader beginning at 2 p.m.

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