MT Softball reflects on impactful group of seniors in rain-shortened season finale vs. FIU

Sunday, May 9

Murfreesboro, TN

11:00 AM

Middle Tennessee

FIU

Blue Raider Softball vs FIU - May 9, 2021 - Senior Day

Photo by: Nathan Wallach/Athletic Communications

5/9/2021 2:51:00 PM | Softball, BRAA

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By: Anthony Fiorella

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Middle Tennessee (26-21, 11-8) got an early start Sunday morning. With it being the last day of the regular season, it was a big day for a special group of seven student athletes who were to be honored before the game. With impending storms looming in the distance, Middle Tennessee finished pregame ceremonies and got the game started at 11:00 a.m. Knowing the weather was coming, both the Blue Raiders and FIU (14-26, 6-13) knew it would be important to score early and often.

After giving up a run in the top of the first, Middle Tennessee got the early offense it needed by scoring three runs in the bottom of the first frame. Jocelynn De La Cruz's RBI single to score Summer Burgess tied it up, and second baseman Lani Rodriguez's career-high sixth double this season netted her two RBIs and gave her team the lead.

Just a few short innings later, weather moved in and ended the game with the Blue Raiders ahead 3-1 in the top of the fourth inning. It wasn't the ending Middle Tennessee hoped for on Sunday morning, but the Blue Raiders were thankful to get the important part of the morning out of the way.

"I thought we came to play today," said Blue Raider head coach Jeff Breeden. "We scored some runs and strung some hits together early and looked like we were going to do some good things, but the weather just didn't want to cooperate."

Emotions were high as fans reflected on the impact that this group of seniors has had on the Blue Raider program, as each has contributed into becoming the most successful group to ever graduate from Middle Tennessee. If you take 2017 to account for the two graduate students, the group has combined for a 129-116 overall record to this point.

Graduate students Lexi Cushing and Summer Burgess each hold program records. For Burgess, her 245 starts, 271 hits and 811 at-bats combine with Cushing's 49 HR, 143 RBI and 1,503 putouts to set program-best marks that will be hard to top. Cushing also holds the record for most home runs in a season with 15 in the 2019 campaign and set an NCAA record for walks in a game with six against WKU that same year.

Third baseman Jocelynn De La Cruz carved out a career as a four-year starter in the hot corner, amassing 87 RBIs, which places her fourth in program history. Fellow California native Ryan King took over behind the plate following the teams C-USA championship in 2018 and finished the regular season second in Conference USA in throwing out would-be base stealers this season.

King's counterpart behind the plate Brooke McClure had an unfortunate end to her career after tearing her ACL before the start of the year. McClure's impact on the team was certainly felt, as she led the team in OBP in 2019 (.411) and scored 30 runs in her career, contributing as a pinch runner regularly.

Outfielder Claire Smith made the transition from second base after helping the team to the conference title in 2018 and has been a stalwart defensively and a reliable option at the plate. Her .284 career batting average provided steadiness at the bottom of the Blue Raider lineup, and her .900 stolen-base percentage is the fourth-most in team history.

In the circle, Amber Baldwin has filled the role as the ace of the staff and has pitched in numerous high-pressure situations and won some key games in her career. Over the past two seasons, Baldwin has led the team in wins and currently sits with a 31-21 record with a 2.90 ERA heading into the conference tournament.

"This senior group is special because they were here when we were just starting to get good and have continued that," Breeden said. "Senior days are always emotional, and this one was too. Had last year not been cut short, this group would've gone to back-to-back-to-back postseasons.

In her final regular season appearance, right-hander Amber Baldwin allowed just two hits and one run over three full innings of work against FIU, and classmates Jocelynn De La Cruz and Summer Burgess each had a hit and scored a run. Center fielder Kelci Hill added a hit and a run, and senior left fielder Claire Smith collected a hit in her final home appearance.

"You have to throw all the stats out the window and throw all the records out the window now," Breeden said of his team as they approach the Conference USA tournament.

"You just have to go out and survive and advance and move to the right of the bracket. We'll look to win the first game on Wednesday, win the second game and survive and go into double elimination on Thursday."

What's next?
Middle Tennessee will begin preparation for the C-USA tournament, which begins Wednesday. Follow MT's softball team on its social media channels to keep up with time of game and opponent information as it becomes available.

Follow the Blue Raiders on Twitter (@MT_Softball), Facebook (Blue Raider Softball) and Instagram (@mt_softball).

Anthony Fiorella is a writer for goblueraiders.com. Follow him on Twitter @a_fiorella74 and also follow @MT_Softball on Twitter and @mt_softball on Instagram for more on the Blue Raiders.