Middle Tennessee Softball falls in series finale at FIU

Sunday, April 10

Miami, FL

11:00 AM

Middle Tennessee

17-23, 0

FIU

17-21, 0

Middle Tennessee

FIU

4/10/2022 4:39:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

By: Jonathan Caudle, MT Athletic Communications

MIAMI – Middle Tennessee Softball (17-23, 4-8 C-USA) fell in their series finale, 6-2, against the FIU Panthers (17-21, 3-9 C-USA) on Sunday at Felsberg Field at FIU Softball Stadium.

The Panthers struck first in the contest. After loading the bases in the opening inning, FIU scored their first run off a wild pitch before Bailey Grossenbacher connected on a two-RBI double down the left-field line to give FIU a 3-0 lead.

After three scoreless innings, the Blue Raiders finally got the bats going in the fifth. Junior Kaylee Richetto led off the inning with a single into right field. After bringing in senior Savannah Freeman to pinch run for Richetto, freshman Ava Tepe connected on her first career double down the left field line to plate Freeman and get the Blue Raiders on the board, 3-1. Tepe advanced to third on a groundout and freshman Anyce Harvey was hit by pitch to put two Blue Raiders on with two down. Senior Lani Rodriguez then came up clutch at the plate as she connected on a two-out single into right field to score Tepe and bring the Blue Raiders within one, 3-2.

However, it didn't take long for FIU to extend its lead back to three. The Blue Raiders got two quick outs, but a walk and an FIU two-out single put two on with one in scoring position. Then FIU's Grossenbacher connected on her second two-RBI double of the day to extend the Panthers' lead back to three entering the sixth, 5-2.

FIU tacked on one more run in the sixth after Hanna Johanning connected on a one-out double just before FIU's Alexis Ross hit a two-out single to score Alyssa Laboy, the Panthers' pinch runner, and give the Panthers a four-run lead, which eventually proved to be the final, 6-2.

Junior Kelci Hill and Harvey led the Blue Raiders in hits in the contest, going 2-for-3. Tepe also had a good day for the Blue Raiders, going 1-for-3 and recording an RBI and a run. Rodriguez finished 1-for-4 on the day and brought across the other Blue Raider RBI. Sophomore Shelby Sargent and Richetto also recorded hits, going 1-for-3 and 1-for-2, respectively, while Freeman also scored a run in the contest.

Senior Gretchen Mead started on the mound for the Blue Raiders, pitching 5.1 innings and allowing six runs on seven hits, while striking out a pair. Senior Kailey Ahlstrom finished the game for MT, pitching 0.2 innings and allowing only one hit on the day.

Up Next
The Blue Raiders return home this week as they host the Charlotte 49ers on Thursday, April 14 through Saturday, April 16.

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