Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
COLUMN - “It really happened”
5/14/2023 8:31:00 PM | Softball
Sunday’s Selection Show only made the Conference USA title feel slightly more real to MTSU Softball
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Just over 24 hours after a championship, things had, just maybe, started to sink in for Middle Tennessee softball.
The championship trophy they had raised on the turf of Dr. Billy Bundrick Field was given a prominent place on the ESPN live shot. The conference title hats dished out during the celebration had (mostly) lost the tags they came with. The recovery from the long bus ride back from Louisiana Tech has started after a morning sleeping in.
And when the Blue Raiders' name was revealed early on Sunday's selection show and MTSU found out their next opponent at the Tuscaloosa Regional, the NCAA Tournament became just the next game on their schedule.
"We're glad that we're Conference USA Champions, glad that we're going to represent the conference," head coach Jeff Breeden said. "We know the lay of the land already, we've played at Alabama several times. We're looking forward to getting there."
The emotion of the conference title, the program's second in Conference USA, had appeared to have worn off by Sunday for Middle Tennessee. Maybe worn off is the wrong turn of phrase, but the exhaustion and relief present after each win in Ruston was gone, replaced with joy and satisfaction of a job well done.
If those involved can even wrap their mind around the fact that they're Conference USA Champions.
"I'm still in shock," fifth-year pitcher Gretchen Mead said. "It's something I've dreamed about, that's why I came back. It really happened."
One might be willing to forgive Mead's incredulity given the circumstances at hand. The Blue Raiders were picked eighth in C-USA in the preseason coaches' poll after finishing 19-34 and missing the tournament entirely in 2022. After earning a No. 6 seed in 2023, MTSU had to win their first game of the tournament just to earn the right to play in the double elimination bracket, and then lost as soon as they reached the double-elimination format.
They won four straight elimination games to win the title and punch their ticket to the NCAA Tournament, fighting through rain, delayed starts, lineup changes, pitching staffs stretched to their limits. And time and time again, everyone on the team stepped up.
Shelby Sargent caught fire at the plate, stroking doubles down both lines to power the Blue Raider offense. Amaya Harris moved up in the order and proved her mettle, constantly keeping the offense moving with timely hits and smart baserunning. Her replacement at No. 9 hitter, catcher Ava Tepe, gave MTSU the go-ahead run in regulation of the title game against North Texas while nailing four runners attempting to steal on the weekend.
But the player Blue Raiders fans might remember most from the C-USA title run is freshman Keri Munn, who made her first appearance in the circle since April 4th in the semifinals against Charlotte, pitching 6.1 innings while allowing just one earned run in an eventual 6-5 win over a team that would earn an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament on Sunday.
"We wouldn't be here if she hadn't done what she did that day," Breeden said. "We wouldn't be having this party, you wouldn't be talking to me right now. We'd be talking about next year."
It was classic Middle Tennessee softball. Gritty, gutsy, timely, and with determination. Never thinking that they were entitled to anything, but knowing they had the ability to accomplish their goals.
That is what stayed the same throughout the year for MTSU, their sense of determination. As Jeff Breeden put it just before the selection show started, the Blue Raiders might not always have the most raw talent on the field every time they go out to play, but no matter who is opposite MTSU in the circle or in the batter's box, "We know we're going to kick their ass!" Breeden said to cheers from his team and the MTSU softball fans at Happy's Sports Lounge.
That mindset, from top to bottom, helped MTSU get there. And it will serve MTSU well in the Tuscaloosa Regional, on a field that MTSU played on as recently as last season and with teams that MTSU is very familiar with, from their game against LIU earlier this season to a cancelled midweek game with Central Arkansas earlier this year.
"Championships are hard," Breeden said. "And everybody in our program, I'm not just talking about players. I'm talking about sports information, facilities, administration, coaches, everybody. If there's one piece of the puzzle that's not 100 percent bought in, you're not winning a championship. And we're fortunate that we have 100 percent buy-in."
The championship trophy they had raised on the turf of Dr. Billy Bundrick Field was given a prominent place on the ESPN live shot. The conference title hats dished out during the celebration had (mostly) lost the tags they came with. The recovery from the long bus ride back from Louisiana Tech has started after a morning sleeping in.
And when the Blue Raiders' name was revealed early on Sunday's selection show and MTSU found out their next opponent at the Tuscaloosa Regional, the NCAA Tournament became just the next game on their schedule.
'Boro ➡️ Tuscaloosa #BLUEnited | ⚡️⬆️ pic.twitter.com/xn74xgw1bA
— MT Softball (@MT_Softball) May 14, 2023
"We're glad that we're Conference USA Champions, glad that we're going to represent the conference," head coach Jeff Breeden said. "We know the lay of the land already, we've played at Alabama several times. We're looking forward to getting there."
The emotion of the conference title, the program's second in Conference USA, had appeared to have worn off by Sunday for Middle Tennessee. Maybe worn off is the wrong turn of phrase, but the exhaustion and relief present after each win in Ruston was gone, replaced with joy and satisfaction of a job well done.
If those involved can even wrap their mind around the fact that they're Conference USA Champions.
"I'm still in shock," fifth-year pitcher Gretchen Mead said. "It's something I've dreamed about, that's why I came back. It really happened."
Unforgettable moment!#BLUEnited | ⚡️⬆️ pic.twitter.com/m2xflxBOPj
— MT Softball (@MT_Softball) May 13, 2023
One might be willing to forgive Mead's incredulity given the circumstances at hand. The Blue Raiders were picked eighth in C-USA in the preseason coaches' poll after finishing 19-34 and missing the tournament entirely in 2022. After earning a No. 6 seed in 2023, MTSU had to win their first game of the tournament just to earn the right to play in the double elimination bracket, and then lost as soon as they reached the double-elimination format.
They won four straight elimination games to win the title and punch their ticket to the NCAA Tournament, fighting through rain, delayed starts, lineup changes, pitching staffs stretched to their limits. And time and time again, everyone on the team stepped up.
Shelby Sargent caught fire at the plate, stroking doubles down both lines to power the Blue Raider offense. Amaya Harris moved up in the order and proved her mettle, constantly keeping the offense moving with timely hits and smart baserunning. Her replacement at No. 9 hitter, catcher Ava Tepe, gave MTSU the go-ahead run in regulation of the title game against North Texas while nailing four runners attempting to steal on the weekend.
But the player Blue Raiders fans might remember most from the C-USA title run is freshman Keri Munn, who made her first appearance in the circle since April 4th in the semifinals against Charlotte, pitching 6.1 innings while allowing just one earned run in an eventual 6-5 win over a team that would earn an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament on Sunday.
"We wouldn't be here if she hadn't done what she did that day," Breeden said. "We wouldn't be having this party, you wouldn't be talking to me right now. We'd be talking about next year."
Money Munn! 💸#BLUEnited | ⚡️⬆️ pic.twitter.com/eep8USbYfn
— MT Softball (@MT_Softball) May 13, 2023
It was classic Middle Tennessee softball. Gritty, gutsy, timely, and with determination. Never thinking that they were entitled to anything, but knowing they had the ability to accomplish their goals.
That is what stayed the same throughout the year for MTSU, their sense of determination. As Jeff Breeden put it just before the selection show started, the Blue Raiders might not always have the most raw talent on the field every time they go out to play, but no matter who is opposite MTSU in the circle or in the batter's box, "We know we're going to kick their ass!" Breeden said to cheers from his team and the MTSU softball fans at Happy's Sports Lounge.
That mindset, from top to bottom, helped MTSU get there. And it will serve MTSU well in the Tuscaloosa Regional, on a field that MTSU played on as recently as last season and with teams that MTSU is very familiar with, from their game against LIU earlier this season to a cancelled midweek game with Central Arkansas earlier this year.
"Championships are hard," Breeden said. "And everybody in our program, I'm not just talking about players. I'm talking about sports information, facilities, administration, coaches, everybody. If there's one piece of the puzzle that's not 100 percent bought in, you're not winning a championship. And we're fortunate that we have 100 percent buy-in."
Players Mentioned
OF/INF
/ Softball
RHP
/ Softball
OF/UTL
/ Softball
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