Softball drops two tough battles in day one of Chattanooga Challenge

Friday, February 13

Chattanooga, Tenn.

2:00 PM

Middle Tennessee

1-5

Canisius

1-1

Canisius

Middle Tenn.

2/13/2026 10:15:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

By: Andie Dolven / MTSU Athletic Communications

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – Middle Tennessee Softball (1-6) dropped two close contests against Canisius (1-1) and Bellarmine (1-6) today at the Chattanooga Challenge. The Blue Raiders fell to the Golden Griffins by a score of 3-2 and to the Knights by a score of 5-4.

The first game of the day against the Golden Griffins was a very even match, both teams finishing with six hits, one error and four left on base. Elle Hildreth got the start in the circle, and after an inning of work was relieved by Mary Martinez, who finished the rest of the game. Middle Tennessee had four extra base hits from the plate, including two triples and a home run. The Blue Raiders also turned their first double play of the season against the Golden Griffins.

The second game of the day against the Knights was a battle of the bats, both teams combining for 20 total hits throughout the game. Braelyn Hall got the start, pitching 5.1 innings and striking out four batters before Elle Hildreth made her second appearance in the circle of the day to relieve her. Bellarmine jumped out to the early lead, but Middle Tennessee tied the game back up in the third inning, taking the lead in the fourth. The Knights grabbed the lead back in the bottom of the fourth, extending it to two runs. The Blue Raiders narrowed the gap to one run off an Adaeze Nwogbo single in the top of the sixth before holding Bellarmine to a zero in the bottom of the sixth. In the top of the seventh, the tying run was sent home with two outs but was thrown out at the plate to end the game.

Lucie McDonald and Macie Harter each notched their first extra base hits today, and Martinez tossed a season-high three punch outs in her relief effort against Canisius.

By the Numbers

1: Head Coach Jeff Breeden is one win away from the milestone 300 career wins at MTSU.
2: Lexi Medlock recorded the second Blue Raider home run today; she led Middle Tennessee at the plate through both games, hitting four for six with three runs, a triple, a home run, a walk and an RBI.
4: Braelyn Hall's four strikeouts against Bellarmine ties her career high.

Up Next

The Blue Raiders return to action in the Chattanooga Challenge tomorrow, Feb. 14 at Frost Stadium. Middle Tennessee will face Ohio at 11:30 p.m. CT and have a rematch with Bellarmine at 2:00 p.m.

Keeping Up with the Blue Raiders

Follow Middle Tennessee Softball on social media:

Facebook (Blue Raider Softball)
Twitter (@MT_Softball)
Instagram (@mt_softball).