Blue Raiders unable to hold lead at LA Tech

Saturday, March 22

Ruston, LA

2 PM

Middle Tennessee

13-18, 3-5

LA Tech

18-11, 5-2

Middle Tennessee

Louisiana Tech

3/22/2025 6:11:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

MTSU surrenders four run lead in sixth inning

By: Jake Freelund, MTSU Athletic Communications

RUSTON, La. — Middle Tennessee softball fell to LA Tech 8-7 on March 22 after relinquishing a four-run lead in the bottom of the sixth inning.

The Blue Raiders (13-18, 3-5) came alive offensively in the fifth and sixth innings, scoring three and four runs, respectively. Middle Tennessee opened the fifth with a single from Ansley Blevins, followed by a Zoe Milonopoulos walk. Lilly Pendergrast laid down a sacrifice bunt to advance the runners before Ava Tepe launched a three-run homer over the right-field wall, tying the game at three. It was Tepe's third home run of the season.

After a scoreless bottom of the fifth from Mary Martinez, the Blue Raiders struck again in the sixth, loading the bases before recording an out. Blevins then hit a sacrifice fly to bring home the go-ahead run. With two outs and two runners on, freshman Lilly Pendergrast crushed her first career home run, extending MTSU's lead to four.

However, Middle Tennessee surrendered five runs in the bottom half of the inning and was unable to respond in the seventh, sealing the loss.

Along with Pendergrast and Tepe's home runs, Ansley Blevins led the offense, going 2/2 with a sacrifice fly. The performance raised her batting average to .319 and an impressive .560 in Conference USA play. Jana Want went 0/2 with two walks, ending her 14-game hitting streak, though she extended her on-base streak to 15 games.

By the Numbers

32: The 2025 Blue Raiders have recorded 32 home runs as a team, closing in on the program record of 44 set last season.
15: Jana Want has reached base in 15 consecutive games.
.560: Ansley Blevins' .560 batting average in Conference USA games ranks third in the conference; she leads with five home runs in conference play.
2: Today marks the second loss of the season for Middle Tennessee when scoring seven or more runs.

Up next
Tomorrow's series finale at LA Tech has been moved up to 11:00 am due to incoming rain. The game will be streamed on ESPN+ and live stats will be available at Stat Broadcast.

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