Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Tuesday, March 11
Birmingham, AL
5 PM
Middle Tennessee
at
UAB
Blue Raiders traveling to UAB and Mississippi State Tuesday and Wednesday
3/10/2025 3:00:00 PM | Softball
MTSU with two non-conference matchups this week
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Middle Tennessee Softball is hitting the road for matchups against UAB and Mississippi State, traveling to Birmingham, Ala., on Tuesday, March 11, and Starkville, Miss., on Wednesday, March 12. The ESPN+ stream for UAB can be found here while live stats can be found here. The ESPN+ live stream for the Mississippi State game can be found here, along with the live stats link here.
The Blue Raiders are coming off a three-game series against FIU, where they secured one win. However, their lone victory was a dominant 12-1 performance, featuring eight extra-base hits. The 12 runs set a new team-high for the season and marked the most scored since March 3, 2023, against Yale. Additionally, it was the highest run total in a conference game during the Breeden era. Tori Coffman pitched a complete game, allowing just one run.
The week saw Jana Want take home Conference USA Freshman of the Week for the second time this season. In the three-game series at FIU, Want posted a .700 batting average and a 1.200 slugging percentage, bringing her OPS to 1.969 over the weekend. She recorded seven hits, including two doubles and a home run vs. the Panthers. Among Conference USA freshmen, Want leads in slugging percentage, on-base percentage, walks, and OPS. She also ranks second in batting average and RBIs as she continues her standout freshman season.
Scouting the opponents
UAB – The Blazers enter the matchup with a 10-13 record in the 2025 season, including a 1-2 mark in American Athletic Conference play. Middle Tennessee holds a 13-8 record in the all-time series against UAB, having won three of the last four meetings. UAB is led by first-year head coach Taylor Smartt, who previously served as the associate head coach at FAU, helping guide the Owls to a 76-36 record and an NCAA Regional appearance in 2024. Offensively, UAB is paced by Bella Wiggins, who boasts a .441 batting average and a .529 on-base percentage.
Mississippi State – The Bulldogs, currently ranked No. 21 in the NFCA Coaches Poll, hold a 21-3 record in 2025 ahead of their matchup against No. 18 Auburn on Monday night. Mississippi State has taken the first two games of the series vs. Auburn. Historically, MSU owns a 7-1 record against MTSU, with the Blue Raiders' last win in the series coming in 2005. The Bulldogs are led by sixth-year head coach Samantha Ricketts, who has guided the program to its first NCAA Super Regional appearance and its highest national ranking. Under her leadership, seven Bulldogs have gone on to professional careers. Mississippi State's offense is powered by Sierra Sacco, who holds a .478 batting average and a 1.488 OPS.
FOLLOW THE BLUE RAIDERS
Follow Middle Tennessee Softball on social media on Facebook (Blue Raider Softball), Twitter (MT_Softball) and Instagram (@mt_softball).
The Blue Raiders are coming off a three-game series against FIU, where they secured one win. However, their lone victory was a dominant 12-1 performance, featuring eight extra-base hits. The 12 runs set a new team-high for the season and marked the most scored since March 3, 2023, against Yale. Additionally, it was the highest run total in a conference game during the Breeden era. Tori Coffman pitched a complete game, allowing just one run.
The week saw Jana Want take home Conference USA Freshman of the Week for the second time this season. In the three-game series at FIU, Want posted a .700 batting average and a 1.200 slugging percentage, bringing her OPS to 1.969 over the weekend. She recorded seven hits, including two doubles and a home run vs. the Panthers. Among Conference USA freshmen, Want leads in slugging percentage, on-base percentage, walks, and OPS. She also ranks second in batting average and RBIs as she continues her standout freshman season.
Scouting the opponents
UAB – The Blazers enter the matchup with a 10-13 record in the 2025 season, including a 1-2 mark in American Athletic Conference play. Middle Tennessee holds a 13-8 record in the all-time series against UAB, having won three of the last four meetings. UAB is led by first-year head coach Taylor Smartt, who previously served as the associate head coach at FAU, helping guide the Owls to a 76-36 record and an NCAA Regional appearance in 2024. Offensively, UAB is paced by Bella Wiggins, who boasts a .441 batting average and a .529 on-base percentage.
Mississippi State – The Bulldogs, currently ranked No. 21 in the NFCA Coaches Poll, hold a 21-3 record in 2025 ahead of their matchup against No. 18 Auburn on Monday night. Mississippi State has taken the first two games of the series vs. Auburn. Historically, MSU owns a 7-1 record against MTSU, with the Blue Raiders' last win in the series coming in 2005. The Bulldogs are led by sixth-year head coach Samantha Ricketts, who has guided the program to its first NCAA Super Regional appearance and its highest national ranking. Under her leadership, seven Bulldogs have gone on to professional careers. Mississippi State's offense is powered by Sierra Sacco, who holds a .478 batting average and a 1.488 OPS.
FOLLOW THE BLUE RAIDERS
Follow Middle Tennessee Softball on social media on Facebook (Blue Raider Softball), Twitter (MT_Softball) and Instagram (@mt_softball).
Players Mentioned
P
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