Middle Tennesee State University Athletics

Blue Raiders drop series to Bulldogs
4/6/2024 5:11:00 PM | Baseball
RUSTON, La. – Middle Tennessee dropped the series to LA Tech on Friday afternoon after a 6-3 loss at J.C. Love Field at Pat Patterson Park.
The Bulldogs (25-8, 6-2 CUSA) struck first in the opening frame, plating a run on an RBI single to right field. The Blue Raiders (10-19, 2-6 CUSA) responded with a run of their own in the second thanks to a Cale Vinson RBI single up the middle. MTSU grabbed the lead in the fourth after a C. Vinson sacrifice fly scored Trace Phillips for the second time on the afternoon.
In the sixth, a three-run shot to right field gave LA Tech a 4-2 advantage. The Bulldogs would go on to add another run in the seventh. MTSU found a late spark in the eighth, plating a run on a bases load hit by pitch, however, the Blue Raiders left three stranded as LA Tech's Ethan Bates got the Bulldogs out of the jam.
LA Tech plated a run to extend its lead back to three in the bottom of the eighth and would go on to win 6-3.
On the mound, Phillips (0-2) was tabbed with the loss. Reed Smith (4-2) earned the win for LA Tech, while Bates picked up his 10th save.
By the Numbers
6: Chandler Alderman went 5.0 innings giving up just four hits, one run and striking out six Bulldogs.
4: Luke Vinson led the Blue Raiders at the played logging four hits in five at-bats.
0: Briggs Rutter's streak of reaching base comes to a close at 28 games, as well as his 22-game hitting streak
Up Next
Middle Tennessee will take on the Bulldogs in the series finale on Sunday, April 7. First pitch is slated for 1 p.m.
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Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Smith,Reed (4-2)
L: Phillips, Trace (0-2)
S: Bates,Ethan (10)

Batting:
2B: Phillips, Trace 1
RBI: Vinson, Cale 2 ; Holloway, Brady 1
SH: Vinson, Cale 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Jennings, Gabe 1 ; Phillips, Trace 2
SB: Jennings, Gabe 1 ; Phillips, Trace 1
CS: Brewer, Nathan 1 ; Vinson, Cale 1
HBP: Jennings, Gabe 1 ; Holloway, Brady 1

Batting:
2B: Furr,Kasten 1
HR: Safford,Will 1
RBI: McConnell,Cole 1 ; Bates,Ethan 1 ; Comeaux,Grant 1 ; Safford,Will 3
SH: Ballard,Michael 1
SF: Comeaux,Grant 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Furr,Kasten 2 ; Bates,Ethan 1 ; Ballard,Michael 1 ; Comeaux,Grant 1 ; Safford,Will 1
HBP: Comeaux,Grant 1