Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Friday, March 15
Miami, Fla.
5:30 p.m. CT / 6:30 p.m. ET
Middle Tennessee
12
at
8
FIU
Eight-run second powers Blue Raiders past FIU
3/15/2024 8:23:00 PM | Baseball
MIAMI — Middle Tennessee baseball rode an eight-run two-out rally in the second inning to a 12-8 victory Saturday in its Conference USA opener at FIU. Briggs Rutter homered twice and drove in five runs to lead the way.
The Panthers (9-9, 0-1 CUSA) appeared to have a 1-2-3 top of the second in hand, but Brett Vondohlen reached first base after a dropped third strike and a throwing error that pulled the FIU first baseman off the bag. He scored along with Luke Vinson three batters later on Clay Badylak's two-run single. Gabe Jennings plated a run with a single through the left side, followed by a two-run double into the left field corner by Eston Snider.
Rutter launched the first pitch he saw over the left field fence for two more Blue Raider (9-8, 1-0) runs. Phillips sent the very next pitch off the scoreboard for his third in the last two games.
Rutter and Phillips went back-to-back again in the sixth – this time with bases-loaded walks that pushed the Blue Raider lead to 10-2.
Rutter went deep again in the top of the eighth for his second two-run blast of the day, bringing his RBI total to five on the night.
Starting pitcher James Sells provided four innings of two-run work for MTSU. Patrick Johnson went 4.0 innings with five runs charged to his ledger. Chandler Alderman finished off the game, withstanding a four-run FIU ninth inning.
By the Numbers
8: The Blue Raiders' eight-run second inning went down as their highest-scoring inning of the season.
5: Phillips' homer was his team-leading fifth of the year.
5: Rutter's five RBI were the most by a Blue Raider this season and extended his team lead to 23 on the year.
Up Next
The second game of the series is scheduled for 4 p.m. CT Saturday.
Follow the Blue Raiders
Stay up to date with the Blue Raiders on X (formerly known as Twitter) (@MT_Baseball), Facebook (Blue Raider Baseball) and Instagram (@MT_Baseball).
The Panthers (9-9, 0-1 CUSA) appeared to have a 1-2-3 top of the second in hand, but Brett Vondohlen reached first base after a dropped third strike and a throwing error that pulled the FIU first baseman off the bag. He scored along with Luke Vinson three batters later on Clay Badylak's two-run single. Gabe Jennings plated a run with a single through the left side, followed by a two-run double into the left field corner by Eston Snider.
Rutter launched the first pitch he saw over the left field fence for two more Blue Raider (9-8, 1-0) runs. Phillips sent the very next pitch off the scoreboard for his third in the last two games.
Rutter and Phillips went back-to-back again in the sixth – this time with bases-loaded walks that pushed the Blue Raider lead to 10-2.
Rutter went deep again in the top of the eighth for his second two-run blast of the day, bringing his RBI total to five on the night.
Starting pitcher James Sells provided four innings of two-run work for MTSU. Patrick Johnson went 4.0 innings with five runs charged to his ledger. Chandler Alderman finished off the game, withstanding a four-run FIU ninth inning.
By the Numbers
8: The Blue Raiders' eight-run second inning went down as their highest-scoring inning of the season.
5: Phillips' homer was his team-leading fifth of the year.
5: Rutter's five RBI were the most by a Blue Raider this season and extended his team lead to 23 on the year.
Up Next
The second game of the series is scheduled for 4 p.m. CT Saturday.
Follow the Blue Raiders
Stay up to date with the Blue Raiders on X (formerly known as Twitter) (@MT_Baseball), Facebook (Blue Raider Baseball) and Instagram (@MT_Baseball).
Players Mentioned
LHP
/ Baseball
INF
/ Baseball
INF
/ Baseball
RHP
/ Baseball
C
/ Baseball
RHP
/ Baseball
OF
/ Baseball
OF
/ Baseball
INF/RHP
/ BaseballSeason Preview - MTSU Baseball
Thursday, February 12
MTSU Baseball 53rd Annual Ground Hog Day Lunch 2/2/26
Monday, February 02
True Blue Testimonials - Baseball Catcher Tyler Minnick
Tuesday, January 27
Facility tour – Stephen and Denise Smith Student-Athlete Performance Center
Wednesday, July 30
