49ers top Blue Raiders in game two on Friday

Friday, April 15

Murfreesboro, TN

4:00 PM

Middle Tennessee

17-25, 4-10

Charlotte

26-16, 7-10

Charlotte

Middle Tennessee

4/15/2022 8:23:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

By: Jonathan Caudle, MT Athletic Communications

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – A three-run seventh from Charlotte (26-16, 7-10 C-USA) stifles a Blue Raider comeback rally to lift the 49ers 6-2 over Middle Tennessee (17-25, 4-10 C-USA) during game two on Friday at Blue Raider Softball Field.

The game remained at a hitless stalemate through the first two innings of the contest, however the 49ers were able to break the scoreless battle in the third. Charlotte led things off with a walk, but a fielder's choice switched baserunners with one out. A Blue Raider error put two 49ers on with only one down before Charlotte's Bailey Vannoy knocked a one-out home run over the right-center wall to push three across and give the 49ers the 3-0 lead.

The Blue Raiders looked to battle back in the fifth. Junior Kaylee Richetto led off the inning with a huge double that nearly left Blue Raider Softball Field as it rebounded off the very top of the left-field wall. Sophomore Jaya Herring came in to pinch run for Richetto, before a groundout from freshman Claire Czajkowski moved Herring to third to put a Blue Raider 60 feet away. Freshman Ava Tepe drew a seven-pitch walk to put Blue Raider runners on the corners. Sophomore Shelby Sargent then connected on a one-out single up the middle to plate Herring, move Tepe to second, and put the Blue Raiders on the board, 3-1. A fielder's choice advanced Tepe to third but was able to steal home before Mealer was picked-off at first to bring the Blue Raiders back within one, 3-2.

In the seventh, the 49ers' Wright connected on a leadoff single into center field to open the inning. Grace Johnson came in to pinch run for Wright. Johnson advanced to second off a sacrifice bunt from Lexi Wagner, before an RBI-single from Frazier kicked Charlotte's lead back to two, 4-2. Vannoy then connected on a one-out RBI-double to push another run across and put the 49ers up by three, 5-2. An HBP put another 49er on, before one final RBI-single to center field pushed across Vannoy and brought the game to its final, 6-2.

Sophomores Amaya Harris and Shelby Sargent led the Blue Raiders in the contest. Harris went 2-for-3, while Sargent went 1-for-3 and recorded the Blue Raiders' sole RBI. Richetto and Czajkowski also recorded hits in the contest for the Blue Raiders, while Herring and Tepe each scored a run in the loss.

On the mound, Claire Woods led off the game, going 6.1 innings and allowing runs, with four being earned, on six hits and recording three strikeouts. Senior Kailey Ahlstrom and freshman Keri Munn closed out the game, pitching 0.1 innings each, with Ahlstrom only allowing a hit.

Up Next
The Blue Raiders will host the Charlotte 49ers on Saturday for their series finale with first pitch scheduled for noon at Blue Raider Softball Field.

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