Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Middle Tennessee
Liberty
Blue Raiders, Flames square off in CUSA clash at the Reese
3/21/2024 11:45:00 AM | Baseball
March 22-24, 2024 | Reese Smith Jr. Field | Murfreesboro, Tenn. |
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MIDDLE TENNESSEE BLUE RAIDERS 9-10, 1-2 CUSA |
at | LIBERTY FLAMES 8-12, 0-0 CUSA |
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MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Middle Tennessee hosts Liberty in its first home series of the 2024 Conference USA schedule. The Flames will be playing their first league games as a member of CUSA. NOTE - Friday's game has been moved up to a 12 p.m. first pitch due to the weather forecast.
Friday, Mar. 22
» Time / Site: 12 p.m. at Reese Smith Jr. Field
» Watch
» Live Stats
Saturday, Mar. 23
» Time / Site: 3 p.m. at Reese Smith Jr. Field
» Watch
» Live Stats
Sunday, Mar. 24
» Time / Site: 1 p.m. at Reese Smith Jr. Field
» Watch
» Live Stats
All-Time Against Liberty
» This is the first meeting between MTSU and Liberty.
Rich History
2023 marks the 106th season of Blue Raider baseball dating back to 1913. This season will also be the 15th season inside Reese Smith Jr. Field since its most recent makeover, setting itself as one of the premier locations in Conference USA.
Meyers Back for Year Two
Head Coach Jerry Meyers is back for his second season as head coach, after serving in the position a season ago in an interim capacity. Meyers was extended as head baseball coach immediately after the season in May 2023.
Welcome to the 'Boro
Meyers added to his staff in the offseason with the additions of assistant coaches Ryan Huber and Adam Wisniewski. Huber will lead the infield and recruiting operations for the Blue Raiders while Wisniewski will oversee pitching development.
Familiar Faces
Five everyday position player starters return from last year, including the entire outfield from 2023. This includes catcher Briggs Rutter, 3B Gabe Jennings, LF Jackson Galloway, CF Luke Vinson and RF Eston Snider. MTSU also brings back its three members of last year's CUSA All-Freshman Team, C/OF Jared Vetetoe and RHPs Patrick Johnson and Ollie Akens.
Portal Power
The Blue Raiders pulled three new RHPs in this offseason from four-year colleges, including Will Jenkins (Belmont), Logan Bogue (Georgia Tech) and Matt Schepel (Western Carolina).
Power Foes
MTSU will see three Power 5 opponents in 2023, traveling to Alabama Feb. 20, going to Indiana March 26 and making the trip to Vanderbilt April 9.
Home Sweet Home
The Blue Raiders will play 30 home games in 2024. Middle Tennessee will open the season at home for the first time since 2021, and just the second time since 2019. Additionally, the squad will play seven road games in the state of Tennessee (UT Martin, Vanderbilt, Lipscomb, Tennessee Tech and Austin Peay).
Watch the Raiders
MTSU home games will be on ESPN+ in 2024. Road game broadcasts are subject to the home team's broadcast protocols. WGNS and the Varsity Network App will carry the team's radio broadcasts.
Raiders in the Pros
Two Blue Raiders were selected in the 2023 MLB Draft, and another two were signed to free agent deals, representing the most signed to affiliated pro baseball contracts since 2015. RHP Eriq Swan was picked up by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 4th compensatory round with the No. 137 overall pick. Fellow RHP Jaden Hamm went off the board to the Detroit Tigers in the 5th round at No. 143 overall. The pair were the highest draft picks of any Blue Raider since 2010. After the draft, C/DH Jeremiah Boyd was signed to a free agent deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks and 2B JT Mabry was picked up by the Miami Marlins.
