Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Middle Tennessee
LA Tech
Blue Raiders set for Conference USA Tournament
5/21/2024 4:00:00 PM | Baseball
May 22-26, 2024 | J.C. Love Field at Pat Patterson Park | Ruston, La. |
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MIDDLE TENNESSEE BLUE RAIDERS 20-34, 8-16 CUSA |
at | LA TECH BULLDOGS 41-15, 18-6 CUSA |
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RUSTON, La. – Middle Tennessee is set take on host institution, LA Tech, in the first round of the 2024 Conference USA Tournament in Ruston, Louisiana. First pitch is slated for 4 p.m. CT on Wednesday. The game will broadcast on ESPN+ and air on the Blue Raider Network.
Middle Tennessee (20-34, 8-16 CUSA) vs. LA Tech (41-15, 18-6 CUSA)
Wednesday, May 22
» Time / Site 4 p.m. at The Love Shack
» Watch
» Live Stats
All-Time Against LA Tech
» This marks the 39th meeting in series history between Middle Tennessee and LA Tech.
» LA Tech leads the all-time series 21-17
» The Bulldogs took two-of-three from the Blue Raiders earlier this season when the two squads met in Ruston..
Just Getting Started
Following a pair of stellar freshman campaigns, Middle Tennessee pitcher Chandler Alderman and utility player Trace Phillips were tabbed Second Team All-Conference and named to the Conference USA All-Freshman Team, as announced by the league office Tuesday afternoon.
Alderman, a freshman from Poplar Grove, Illinois, made 17 appearances and earned 10 starts in 2024. With two complete games under his belt, the freshman proved to be the team's most consistent arm in the weekend rotation. The southpaw posted a 5.34 earned runs average in 62.1 innings pitched. He has recorded a team-high 67 strikeouts and his freshman campaign was highlighted by just the fourth-ever no-hitter in program history against Liberty on March 23, 2024.
Phillips, a freshman from Spring Hill, Tennessee, made 53 appearances and earned 51 starts in 2024. The do-it-all player batted .299 on the season with 59 hits, eight doubles, a triple and 13 home runs, while slugging .548. On the mound, Phillips made 12 appearances and earned eight starts. He posted a 6.39 ERA and a 1.79 WHIP in 38.0 innings pitched while fanning 26 batters.
Vondohlen's Grand Performance
Redshirt-Freshman Brett Vondohlen had a historic night against WKU on Friday, April 26. The Murfreesboro native went 4-for-5 with three home runs (two grand slams) and 10 RBI. His 10 RBI mark both a program record and the most ever by a player in a conference game.
Briggs' Cycle
Briggs Rutter became just the third Blue Raider in program history and the first since 2009 to hit for the cycle in a game. Despite dropping the game to NM State 12-15, Rutter was exceptional at the plate, hitting a single-triple-double-home run.
Alderman's No-No
Chandler Alderman was tabbed the College Baseball Hall of Fame, Conference USA and TSWA Pitcher of the Week after throwing a no-hitter against Liberty.
The Poplar Grove, Ill., native struck out 11 batters while walking just three in eight innings. In just his second career start, the freshman left-hander threw the fourth no-hitter in Middle Tennessee history and the first in 20 years.
Alderman recorded the most strikeouts and the most innings pitched by a Blue Raider this season. He becomes the second Blue Raider freshman to throw a no-no and the third pitcher to throw a solo no-hitter in program history.
