Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Middle Tennessee
18-31, 6-13
Jacksonville State
17-30, 4-15
Blue Raiders top Gamecocks 12-9
5/10/2024 9:34:00 PM | Baseball
JACKSOVILLE, Ala. – Thanks to a late offensive spark, Middle Tennessee defeated Jax State 12-9 on Friday evening at Rudy Abbott Field.
The Blue Raiders (18-31, 6-13 CUSA) struck first, plating a pair of runs in the opening frame thanks to an RBI single from Briggs Rutter and a bases-loaded walk, however, the Gamecocks (17-30, 4-15 CUSA) responded with eight unanswered runs.
In the fourth inning, MTSU found an offensive spark, plating four runs to cut the Gamecocks lead to two runs. Brett Vondohlen scored the first run with a double to left field, while Nathan Brewer plated a run with a sacrifice fly to center field, Luke Vinson added another with an RBI double to right field and Gabe Jennings rounded out the big inning with an RBI single to left field.
The Blue Raiders continued to chip away at Jax State's lead in the fifth, plating a run after Brewer roped a triple down the right field line, however, the Gamecocks would plate another run in the bottom of the fifth to extend their lead to 9-7.
MTSU Immediately responded with a trio of runs in the sixth to take the lead at 10-9 thanks to a Jackson Galloway double and Vondohlen infield grounder. In the eighth inning, the Blue Raiders extended their lead to three after Galloway sent a two-run home run to left field. MTSU would go on to win 12-9.
On the mound, Russell Derbyshire (1-2) was tabbed with the loss, while James Sells (6-6) earned the win for Middle Tennessee and Ollie Akens picked up his second save.
By the Numbers
10: The Blue Raiders' pitching staff recorded 10 strikeouts on the night.
9: Nine Blue Raiders logged a hit on the day.
7: The Blue Raiders tallied seven extra-base hits on the evening - five doubles, a triple and a home run.
Up Next
Middle Tennessee will face Jax State in game two on Saturday, May 11. First pitch is slated for 6 p.m. CT.
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Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Sells, James (6-6)
L: DERBYSHIRE, Russell (1-2)
S: Akens, Ollie (2)
Batting:
2B: Vinson, Luke 1 ; Phillips, Trace 1 ; Galloway, Jackson 2 ; Vondohlen, Brett 1
3B: Brewer, Nathan 1
HR: Galloway, Jackson 1
RBI: Vinson, Luke 1 ; Jennings, Gabe 1 ; Rutter, Briggs 1 ; Galloway, Jackson 4 ; Vinson, Cale 1 ; Vondohlen, Brett 2 ; Brewer, Nathan 2
SH: Snider, Eston 1
SF: Brewer, Nathan 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Snider, Eston 1 ; Vinson, Luke 2 ; Jennings, Gabe 1 ; Rutter, Briggs 1 ; Phillips, Trace 2 ; Galloway, Jackson 2 ; Vinson, Cale 2 ; Vondohlen, Brett 1
SB: Snider, Eston 1 ; Rutter, Briggs 1
CS: Snider, Eston 1
HBP: Rutter, Briggs 2
Batting:
2B: NORTON, Brennen 1 ; JOHNSON, Caleb 1 ; MADLIAK, Bear 1
3B: COLLINS, Drew 1
HR: JACKSON, Derrick 1
RBI: COLLINS, Drew 1 ; NORTON, Brennen 2 ; JOHNSON, Caleb 1 ; MADLIAK, Bear 2 ; JACKSON, Derrick 1 ; WALBURN, Hudson 1
Base Running:
RUNS: COLLINS, Drew 2 ; NORTON, Brennen 1 ; JOHNSON, Caleb 1 ; JACKSON, Derrick 2 ; WALTERS, Logan 2 ; WALBURN, Hudson 1
SB: JOHNSON, Caleb 1 ; MADLIAK, Bear 1 ; FINCHER, Will 1
HBP: JOHNSON, Caleb 1
