Eston Snider’s late home runs helps Middle Tennessee secure the series win over Sam Houston 11-6

Saturday, May 10

Murfreesboro, Tenn.

3 p.m.

Middle Tennessee

22-0, 0

Sam Houston

12-38, 0

Sam Houston

Middle Tennessee

Photo by: Josie Knight/MTSU Athletic Communications

5/10/2025 7:03:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

By: Anthony Fiorella | Athletic Communications

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. —Playing in his final home series of his career, Eston Snider left the park Saturday with yet another big performance in the leadoff spot for Middle Tennessee (22-28, 7-16) to secure the series over Sam Houston (12-38, 6-17) 11-6. The centerfielder finished 3-for-4 with two RBIs that came on a big two-out home run in the bottom of the seventh. Snider also scored three runs to move him to a team-high 41 runs scored this season.

Blue Raider catcher Tyler Minnick also picked right back up where he left off last night, hitting a two-run home run, pulling one just inside the foul pole in left for home run number nine on the year to make it 2-0. Middle Tennessee added another run in the third on an RBI fielder's choice by Minnick with the bases loaded and one out to make it 3-0. The run was the 23rd of the season scored by Hayden Miller, who has been the everyday first baseman for the Blue Raiders.

Sam Houston was able to plate three runs in the third and run Middle Tennessee starter Colin Kerrigan's pitch count up, ending his afternoon at 3.0 innings pitched, allowing three runs with three strikeouts. Ethan Imbimbo came out of the bullpen in the fourth inning and tossed 1.2 innings and gave up one earned run before giving way to Cole Torbett with a 4-3 Sam Houston lead. Torbett lasted 2.2 innings and allowed one earned run and struck out three. Bryant Beranek came on with two out in the eighth inning and earned his second save of the year.

Bearkat starter Ryan Peterson had a good outing, throwing five innings of three-run ball, keeping the Blue Raiders off the board for his final three innings of work. The righty struck out six. Cole Martholjoni, the twin brother of teammate and catcher Ty, came out of the bullpen and surrendered the lead with two outs in the sixth inning.

Middle Tennessee had back-to-back-to-back RBI singles from Tyler Minnick, Brett Vondohlen and Clay Badylak chased Martholjoni after just 0.2 innings and gave Middle Tennessee a 6-4 lead heading into the seventh.

For Minnick, it was his fourth RBI of the game, a new career high for the junior backstop, who finished 3-for-5 with a home run and a double. Vondohlen also got a hit in his last at-bat to end up 2-for-5 with an RBI and Clay Badylak also had a three-hit day, with a pair of RBIs himself.

The Blue Raiders plated three in the bottom of the eighth, highlighted by a one-out, two-RBI double by Keaton Ray.

By the Numbers

41: The new team-high in runs scored, held by Eston Snider.

4: Career-high in RBIs in a game for Tyler Minnick. It was also the number of Blue Raiders that had a multi-RBI Day. That list includes: Tyler Minnick, Brett Vondohlen, Clay Badylak and Keaton Ray all had two or more.

5: Runs scored today with two-outs for Middle Tennessee.

6: Career-high in home- runs for Eston Snider.

The Skipper Speaks (Jerry Meyers)

"You think about Eston (Snider's) two-out home run, but another big thing was Cooper (Clapp's) two-out walk right before that was a competitive at-bat," said Middle Tennessee Head Coach Jerry Meyers of the Blue Raiders two-out hitting. "(Vondohlen) hit that squib over the infield dirt, but fouled off a lot of pitches before that after getting two strikes. There was a lot of mature two-out at-bats. There can't be enough said about (Eston Snider). Whenever he's gone, there's going to be a lot of comparisons on how you do it. Not just on the field stuff, but in the weight room, in practice and what he does off the field and in the classroom. I don't cry in those kind of situations like (Senior Day ceremonies), but I think he might be one that'd bring a tear to my eye. We're going to try and have tunnel vision and take care of what we can that's right in front of us and play hard. We made a few mistakes today, but we played hard and continued to compete and that's all we can ask for."

Player Perspective (SR OF Eston Snider) "Today felt good to get the win and get it somewhat comfortably," Snider said. "Today felt good to get a win and we just have to keep it going and hopefully we can build on it. Going into the weekend, we wanted to hammer down on every at-bat being important and not wasting at-bats, especially with two outs. Every at-bat means something. (I'm going to miss) the guys and playing here in the comfort of our home stadium. (I'm going to miss) the beauty of The Reese. A lot of people take it for granted, but I'll miss the people in the stands, the ones taking picture, the ones working in the booth, all of it. It's been a huge blessing being here and it's bittersweet."

Up Next
The series finale is set for tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. The game will be carried on both ESPN+ and the Blue Raider Network.

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