Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Saturday, March 8
Murfreesboro, Tenn.
1 p.m.
Middle Tennessee
8-5
6
vs
5
Oakland
3-13
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
R
H
E
Oakland
3
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
5
10
1
Middle Tennessee
0
5
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
6
11
1
Junnila's walk-off single lifts Middle Tennessee over Oakland
3/8/2025 6:01:00 PM | Baseball
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Middle Tennessee baseball used a walk-off single from Jaxon Junnila to take a 6-5 victory over Oakland on Saturday.
Middle Tennessee (8-5) allowed an early 3-0 lead to the Golden Grizzlies (3-13) in the first inning, but didn't let it last long, as the Blue Raiders put up five runs in the second to take the lead.
Nathan Brewer led off the inning by getting hit by a pitch to reach base. He stole second, then advanced to third, where he scored on a Matt Wolfe single. Junnila then stepped up with a single to right-center field, advancing Wolfe to third. Clay Badylak drew a walk to load the bases for Eston Snider, who grounded out to second base to score a run, leaving three runners on for Brett Vondohlen. His many nicknames remained true as he crushed a 109 mph line drive out of the ballpark for a 5-3 lead.
Chandler Alderman settled into his start in the second inning and didn't allow another run over the next four innings. He finished the day allowing six hits, one walk, and striking out three. Will Jenkins entered in the sixth with a jam—runners on second and third with one out. Jenkins struck out two batters to escape the inning unscathed.
The game stayed scoreless until the ninth inning, when Oakland pushed across two runs to send the game into extra innings.
Ollie Akens entered the game to give the Blue Raiders a chance to win. He would ultimately earn his first win of the season, pitching two innings and allowing just one hit while striking out two.
In the bottom of the 11th with two outs, shortstop Matt Wolfe lined a double just fair into left field, giving Junnila the opportunity to send the Blue Raider fans home happy. Junnila swung at the first pitch he saw, sending it up the middle to score Wolfe and take home the 6-5 victory.
By the Numbers
The series finale against Oakland is set to take place on Sunday, March 9, at 1 p.m. at Reese Smith Jr. Field.
Player Perspective (Jaxon Junnila)
"I was just thinking small, trying to put the bat on the ball, and it worked out."
Follow the Blue Raiders
Stay up to date with the Blue Raiders on Twitter (@MT_Baseball), Facebook (Blue Raider Baseball), and Instagram (@MT_Baseball).
Middle Tennessee (8-5) allowed an early 3-0 lead to the Golden Grizzlies (3-13) in the first inning, but didn't let it last long, as the Blue Raiders put up five runs in the second to take the lead.
Nathan Brewer led off the inning by getting hit by a pitch to reach base. He stole second, then advanced to third, where he scored on a Matt Wolfe single. Junnila then stepped up with a single to right-center field, advancing Wolfe to third. Clay Badylak drew a walk to load the bases for Eston Snider, who grounded out to second base to score a run, leaving three runners on for Brett Vondohlen. His many nicknames remained true as he crushed a 109 mph line drive out of the ballpark for a 5-3 lead.
Chandler Alderman settled into his start in the second inning and didn't allow another run over the next four innings. He finished the day allowing six hits, one walk, and striking out three. Will Jenkins entered in the sixth with a jam—runners on second and third with one out. Jenkins struck out two batters to escape the inning unscathed.
The game stayed scoreless until the ninth inning, when Oakland pushed across two runs to send the game into extra innings.
Ollie Akens entered the game to give the Blue Raiders a chance to win. He would ultimately earn his first win of the season, pitching two innings and allowing just one hit while striking out two.
In the bottom of the 11th with two outs, shortstop Matt Wolfe lined a double just fair into left field, giving Junnila the opportunity to send the Blue Raider fans home happy. Junnila swung at the first pitch he saw, sending it up the middle to score Wolfe and take home the 6-5 victory.
By the Numbers
- 3: Matt Wolfe had three hits in the game to help the Raiders earn the victory.
- 7: Chandler Alderman and Will Jenkins combined for seven straight innings of scoreless baseball for MTSU.
- 7: Brett Vondohlen hit his seventh home run of the season, which ties him for sixth in the country.
The series finale against Oakland is set to take place on Sunday, March 9, at 1 p.m. at Reese Smith Jr. Field.
Player Perspective (Jaxon Junnila)
"I was just thinking small, trying to put the bat on the ball, and it worked out."
Follow the Blue Raiders
Stay up to date with the Blue Raiders on Twitter (@MT_Baseball), Facebook (Blue Raider Baseball), and Instagram (@MT_Baseball).
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Akens, Ollie (1-0)
L: Ryan Donley (0-1)
Batting:
2B: Aidan Schuck 1 ; Brandon Nigh 1
RBI: Aidan Schuck 2 ; Matthew McGann 2 ; Ben Clark 1
Base Running:
RUNS: John Lauinger 2 ; Aidan Schuck 1 ; Matthew McGann 1 ; Boston Halloran 1
SB: Boston Halloran 1
HBP: Matthew McGann 1 ; Ben Clark 1
Batting:
2B: Brewer, Nathan 1 ; Wolfe, Matt 1
3B: Brewer, Nathan 1
HR: Vondohlen, Brett 1
RBI: Snider, Eston 1 ; Vondohlen, Brett 3 ; Wolfe, Matt 1 ; Junnila, Jaxon 1
SH: Junnila, Jaxon 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Vondohlen, Brett 1 ; Brewer, Nathan 1 ; Wolfe, Matt 2 ; Junnila, Jaxon 1 ; Badylak, Clay 1
SB: Brewer, Nathan 1
CS: Rogers, Brett 1
HBP: Brewer, Nathan 1
PO: Wolfe, Matt 1
Game Leaders
Hitting
AB
5
R
2
H
3
RBI
1
AB
5
R
1
H
2
RBI
3
AB
4
R
1
H
2
RBI
0
AB
4
R
1
H
2
RBI
1
Players Mentioned
RHP
/ Baseball
LHP
/ Baseball
INF
/ Baseball
OF
/ Baseball
RHP
/ BaseballC
/ Baseball
OF
/ Baseball
INF/RHP
/ BaseballINF
/ BaseballFacility tour – Stephen and Denise Smith Student-Athlete Performance Center
Wednesday, July 30
Spring Sports Show hosted by The Boulevard – April 21, 2025: Softball and Baseball
Monday, April 21
🎥 from the 52nd annual Groundhog Day Luncheon! Also, we play baseball this month 🤩
Sunday, February 02
MTSU Baseball 2025 52nd Annual Groundhog Day Luncheon
Friday, January 31
