Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
NOTEBOOK: Wrapping up the 30-win Lady Raider season
3/25/2024 5:10:00 PM | Baseball, General, Men's Golf, Men's Tennis, Women's Basketball, Women's Tennis
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — If you go to as many Middle Tennessee Athletic events as I do, you might have some sounds from the stadium, the arena or the ballpark that will pop into your mind when you need them most.
Maybe it's a song, like the Band of Blue ending another MTSU victory with a rendition of the Tennessee Waltz or AC/DC's "Thunderstruck" blasting out of the sound system of Floyd Stadium after a Blue Raider touchdown. Perhaps it's something subtler, the thwack of the ball hitting the catcher's mitt at Reese Smith Jr. Field or one of Men's Tennis' players shouting "COME ON" after a game point at the ATC.
This weekend, coming back from Middle Tennessee women's basketball's run to the Round of 32 in the NCAA Tournament that ended in a loss to LSU, the sound from MTSU Athletics that kept replaying in my head was a Public Address Announcer read.
"Conference USA encourages and promotes good sportsmanship by student-athletes, coaches and spectators," the Greek Chorus of our MTSU PA announcers, Kris Freeman, Jon Rice and Troy Berry, echoed in my mind. "We request your cooperation by supporting the participants and officials in a positive manner."
It's in the spirit of that PA read from the CUSA office that I won't go into why I think that specific read popped into my mind last night as I was settling in after a quick flight back from Baton Rouge. I'd much rather spend time thanking and remembering the 2023-24 Lady Raiders for where they've taken us this season.
The season milestones are obvious, from defeating Tennessee for the first time in program history to making it to the second round of the NCAA Tournament, something MTSU has only done just four times prior to this season. The undefeated conference season was the first since the 2011-12 team did it in the Sun Belt, but that MTSU squad didn't win its conference tournament like the Lady Raiders did in 2024.
"I'm just proud of them," Rick Insell said he told his team after the loss. "Very proud. Don't let this define you. Don't let it define this year, define this team."
One of the great joys I had this weekend was sharing what I knew about this team with reporters who mainly covered LSU or with fans of women's basketball who tuned into the game on ABC or ESPN2 and liked the style of play, the moxie and the poise the Lady Raiders possessed. So many folks outside of Murfreesboro loved this team the way we had all year, and that was cool to see.
I mentioned this on Twitter late last night as well, but I think this team has a good chance to go down as the best starting five in program history. With four players already over 1,000 career points (and the fifth on pace to get there by end of her career), countless program and conference records represented, it'll be hard to stack up against this group. But its departing players, Savannah Wheeler and Courtney Whitson, have no doubt that the next group up will surpass them.
"To think this is going to be the last time I ever put on this jersey stings," Whitson said. It's been a long journey, but I'm thankful for it, and this just sets them up for next year to get where they want to be. All the players that came before me laid the foundation, so it's been an amazing, blessed journey."
So, for one final time, I want to thank the Lady Raiders for letting us cheer, letting us believe and letting us enjoy one another through following them for another year. They've again united Blue Raider Nation in ways that are hard to do. And I can't wait to see what's next for this group when the ball is tipped this fall.
Alderman tosses fourth no-hitter in MTSU Baseball History
It was a dramatic afternoon at Reese Smith Jr. Field on Saturday, where Chandler Alderman completed the fourth no-hitter in school history after the Blue Raiders run-ruled Liberty in the bottom of the eighth, securing the 10-0 win after Alderman tossed eight hitless innings on the mound.
"Everyone was jumping around and all of a sudden I saw a big water jug getting dumped over on me," Alderman said. "It was an out of body experience."
"Once he got to around the 100-pitch mark, we had a good lead and the bullpen going," head coach Jerry Meyers said. "We were just kind of down there counting outs. We had nine outs left, then six, and so on. That's how you work it in your mind. Something entered my mind late that I didn't want to take this opportunity away from a guy that may never get it again."
Alderman secured the CUSA Pitcher of the Week award from the conference office on Monday. He is the second Blue Raider freshman to throw a no-no and the third pitcher to throw a solo no-hitter in program history.
Baseball stays at home for Binghamton Series, Softball Hosts FIU
It's a busy weekend in Murfreesboro on the diamond, with both baseball and softball hosting home series this weekend. Baseball, due to the uneven CUSA schedule brought on by an odd number of teams in the league, will host a rare late-season nonconference series against Binghamton. Softball, meanwhile, will continue CUSA play against FIU.
Check out the schedule for the weekend and promotions in our weekly What's Happening in the 'Boro! Please note that both series will run Thursday-Saturday to account for Easter Sunday this weekend!
Men's and Women's Tennis host clinics for area youth
Middle Tennessee's tennis programs turned their off week into giving back to the youth of the Murfreesboro community.
"These clinics are awesome for us to share our love of tennis with young people," said MTSU Men's Tennis Head Coach Jimmy Borendame. "I love doing these and this time was even more special to host them at our amazing new outdoor tennis complex. Everyone had a great time."
The men's program partnered with Endure Athletics for a free clinic on Wednesday. Endure Athletics' purpose is to equip the youth in our community with necessary life skills through educational support and Christ-centered mentorship.
Both the men's and women's programs teamed up to host a free clinic on Thursday for Murfreesboro City Schools students grades one through six.
"It's always so much fun to work with the kids," said MTSU Women's Tennis Interim Head Coach John Kreis. Our student-athletes love to do it, and the kids really feed off and enjoy themselves. Tennis is a great sport and truly a sport for a lifetime. I've taught students from three to 93 and it's always about health and wellness."
Stamper, Barnard, both pick up CUSA Golfer of the Week
Conference USA on Thursday announced its weekly golf awards, with Michael Barnard and Owen Stamper sharing the men's Player of the Week award. This is the third weekly award this season for Stamper and the second for Barnard.
Barnard and Stamper tied for 11th at the Schenkel Invitational with matching scores of 210 (-6). Barnard logged rounds of 70-68-72, while Stamper went 66-74-70. Stamper's 66 (-6) in the first round was one stroke shy of the Blue Raiders' lowest round of the season, and he led the Blue Raiders with 14 birdies in the tournament. Barnard parred a team-high 37 holes while coming in at par or better each round. Stamper and Barnard each picked up an eagle in the tournament.
Spring Practice kicks off for MTSU Football
The pads are finally one for Blue Raider Football, who took their first steps toward the fall on the turf this past week when spring practice kicked off on Wednesday. An early morning schedule has been an adjustment this year for MTSU, but the energy has been high according to head coach Derek Mason.
Check out some pictures and video from the first few days below, including an appearance by Boots Donnelly at Saturday's practice!
Maybe it's a song, like the Band of Blue ending another MTSU victory with a rendition of the Tennessee Waltz or AC/DC's "Thunderstruck" blasting out of the sound system of Floyd Stadium after a Blue Raider touchdown. Perhaps it's something subtler, the thwack of the ball hitting the catcher's mitt at Reese Smith Jr. Field or one of Men's Tennis' players shouting "COME ON" after a game point at the ATC.
This weekend, coming back from Middle Tennessee women's basketball's run to the Round of 32 in the NCAA Tournament that ended in a loss to LSU, the sound from MTSU Athletics that kept replaying in my head was a Public Address Announcer read.
"Conference USA encourages and promotes good sportsmanship by student-athletes, coaches and spectators," the Greek Chorus of our MTSU PA announcers, Kris Freeman, Jon Rice and Troy Berry, echoed in my mind. "We request your cooperation by supporting the participants and officials in a positive manner."
It's in the spirit of that PA read from the CUSA office that I won't go into why I think that specific read popped into my mind last night as I was settling in after a quick flight back from Baton Rouge. I'd much rather spend time thanking and remembering the 2023-24 Lady Raiders for where they've taken us this season.
The season milestones are obvious, from defeating Tennessee for the first time in program history to making it to the second round of the NCAA Tournament, something MTSU has only done just four times prior to this season. The undefeated conference season was the first since the 2011-12 team did it in the Sun Belt, but that MTSU squad didn't win its conference tournament like the Lady Raiders did in 2024.
"I'm just proud of them," Rick Insell said he told his team after the loss. "Very proud. Don't let this define you. Don't let it define this year, define this team."
One of the great joys I had this weekend was sharing what I knew about this team with reporters who mainly covered LSU or with fans of women's basketball who tuned into the game on ABC or ESPN2 and liked the style of play, the moxie and the poise the Lady Raiders possessed. So many folks outside of Murfreesboro loved this team the way we had all year, and that was cool to see.
I mentioned this on Twitter late last night as well, but I think this team has a good chance to go down as the best starting five in program history. With four players already over 1,000 career points (and the fifth on pace to get there by end of her career), countless program and conference records represented, it'll be hard to stack up against this group. But its departing players, Savannah Wheeler and Courtney Whitson, have no doubt that the next group up will surpass them.
"To think this is going to be the last time I ever put on this jersey stings," Whitson said. It's been a long journey, but I'm thankful for it, and this just sets them up for next year to get where they want to be. All the players that came before me laid the foundation, so it's been an amazing, blessed journey."
So, for one final time, I want to thank the Lady Raiders for letting us cheer, letting us believe and letting us enjoy one another through following them for another year. They've again united Blue Raider Nation in ways that are hard to do. And I can't wait to see what's next for this group when the ball is tipped this fall.
Alderman tosses fourth no-hitter in MTSU Baseball History
It was a dramatic afternoon at Reese Smith Jr. Field on Saturday, where Chandler Alderman completed the fourth no-hitter in school history after the Blue Raiders run-ruled Liberty in the bottom of the eighth, securing the 10-0 win after Alderman tossed eight hitless innings on the mound.
First Blue Raider no-hitter since 2004 ✅
— Middle Tennessee Baseball (@MT_Baseball) March 23, 2024
Fourth no-no in program history ✅
Most strikeouts by a Blue Raider this season ✅ pic.twitter.com/uVCKBGS69R
No-hitter vibes pic.twitter.com/oLKUffaRcn
— Middle Tennessee Baseball (@MT_Baseball) March 23, 2024
"Everyone was jumping around and all of a sudden I saw a big water jug getting dumped over on me," Alderman said. "It was an out of body experience."
"Once he got to around the 100-pitch mark, we had a good lead and the bullpen going," head coach Jerry Meyers said. "We were just kind of down there counting outs. We had nine outs left, then six, and so on. That's how you work it in your mind. Something entered my mind late that I didn't want to take this opportunity away from a guy that may never get it again."
Alderman secured the CUSA Pitcher of the Week award from the conference office on Monday. He is the second Blue Raider freshman to throw a no-no and the third pitcher to throw a solo no-hitter in program history.
⚾️ PITCHER OF THE WEEK ⚾️
— Conference USA (@ConferenceUSA) March 25, 2024
presented by Blenders Eyewear //
🏅1️⃣ Chandler Alderman, @MT_Baseball #NoLimitsOnUs | https://t.co/EWwaabJ7il pic.twitter.com/VqQ6FssCxl
Baseball stays at home for Binghamton Series, Softball Hosts FIU
It's a busy weekend in Murfreesboro on the diamond, with both baseball and softball hosting home series this weekend. Baseball, due to the uneven CUSA schedule brought on by an odd number of teams in the league, will host a rare late-season nonconference series against Binghamton. Softball, meanwhile, will continue CUSA play against FIU.
Check out the schedule for the weekend and promotions in our weekly What's Happening in the 'Boro! Please note that both series will run Thursday-Saturday to account for Easter Sunday this weekend!
What's Happening in the 'Boro – presented by Ole South@MT_Softball and @MT_Baseball are home Thursday through Saturday, and tennis is in town this week.
— Middle Tennessee Athletics (@MTAthletics) March 25, 2024
🥎⚾️🎟️ https://t.co/FpVYoaIe2Z
🎾🎟️ FREE#BLUEnited pic.twitter.com/9aCiEpwU32
Men's and Women's Tennis host clinics for area youth
Middle Tennessee's tennis programs turned their off week into giving back to the youth of the Murfreesboro community.
"These clinics are awesome for us to share our love of tennis with young people," said MTSU Men's Tennis Head Coach Jimmy Borendame. "I love doing these and this time was even more special to host them at our amazing new outdoor tennis complex. Everyone had a great time."
#BlueRaiders partnered with @EndureAthletics and @MCScommunicates for free tennis clinics last week.
— Middle Tennessee Men's Tennis (@MT_MensTennis) March 25, 2024
📰 https://t.co/7z51ik1zvK#BLUEnited pic.twitter.com/9ycfjdcWWb
The men's program partnered with Endure Athletics for a free clinic on Wednesday. Endure Athletics' purpose is to equip the youth in our community with necessary life skills through educational support and Christ-centered mentorship.
Both the men's and women's programs teamed up to host a free clinic on Thursday for Murfreesboro City Schools students grades one through six.
"It's always so much fun to work with the kids," said MTSU Women's Tennis Interim Head Coach John Kreis. Our student-athletes love to do it, and the kids really feed off and enjoy themselves. Tennis is a great sport and truly a sport for a lifetime. I've taught students from three to 93 and it's always about health and wellness."
#BlueRaiders partnered with @MCScommunicates for a free tennis clinic last Thursday.
— Middle Tennessee Women's Tennis (@MT_WomensTennis) March 25, 2024
📰 https://t.co/oTgYYEZdf9#BLUEnited pic.twitter.com/87oTYKI2Bt
Stamper, Barnard, both pick up CUSA Golfer of the Week
Conference USA on Thursday announced its weekly golf awards, with Michael Barnard and Owen Stamper sharing the men's Player of the Week award. This is the third weekly award this season for Stamper and the second for Barnard.
Mike and Owen are CUSA Co-Players of the Week!#BlueRaiders pic.twitter.com/lq6Y7YfTSO
— Middle Tennessee Men's Golf (@MT_MGolf) March 21, 2024
Barnard and Stamper tied for 11th at the Schenkel Invitational with matching scores of 210 (-6). Barnard logged rounds of 70-68-72, while Stamper went 66-74-70. Stamper's 66 (-6) in the first round was one stroke shy of the Blue Raiders' lowest round of the season, and he led the Blue Raiders with 14 birdies in the tournament. Barnard parred a team-high 37 holes while coming in at par or better each round. Stamper and Barnard each picked up an eagle in the tournament.
Spring Practice kicks off for MTSU Football
The pads are finally one for Blue Raider Football, who took their first steps toward the fall on the turf this past week when spring practice kicked off on Wednesday. An early morning schedule has been an adjustment this year for MTSU, but the energy has been high according to head coach Derek Mason.
Derek Mason on practicing early in the morning: "The morning, for our program and our team, fits what we are and what we want to do. We're Blue Collar...We do what normal folks do. They get up in the morning. They go to work." https://t.co/IVKoFJRBSm
— Sam Doughton (@sjdoughton) March 20, 2024
Check out some pictures and video from the first few days below, including an appearance by Boots Donnelly at Saturday's practice!
Day 1 in the books. Got that action😤#BoroBuiltMiddleMade pic.twitter.com/PIfoO1DihU
— Middle Tennessee Football (@MT_FB) March 21, 2024
Day 2 of getting to that work✅
— Middle Tennessee Football (@MT_FB) March 22, 2024
We'll see you all tomorrow for the @RaidersRising NIL kickoff practice❗️#BoroBuiltMiddleMade pic.twitter.com/MsJYccNlg6
The guy who's sharp has the edge.#BoroBuiltMiddleMade | #MotivationMonday pic.twitter.com/awWPYZZcOX
— Derek Mason (@CoachDerekMason) March 25, 2024
Great to have Boots Donnelly back at practice today. A true legend and icon for our University. Loved hearing him talk to our team. Needs to be here more often, plus he has the best one liners of anyone I have met. @MTAthletics pic.twitter.com/6pZBLCLWla
— Mark Owens (@MarkOwens5) March 23, 2024
Players Mentioned
LHP
/ Baseball
/ Men's Golf
/ Men's Golf
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/ Women's Basketball
F
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