Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Middle Tennessee opens CUSA play with weekend set against Kennesaw State
3/12/2026 2:00:00 PM | Baseball
March 13- March 15, 2026 | Reese Smith Jr. Field | Murfreesboro, Tenn. |
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Kennesaw State Owls 7-6, 0-0 MVC |
at | Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders 10-7, 0-0 CUSA |
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MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - Blue Raider baseball is set to welcome the Illinois State Redbirds to Reese Smith Jr. Field for a three-game series to finish out February, and welcome in the month of March as college baseball hits full swing.
The Redbirds come to Murfreesboro with a 6-2 record, the program's best start since 2014. MTSU has matched this mark through eight games, with wins over Tennessee Tech, St. Bonaventure, Alabama A&M and Bellarmine.
Friday, March 13
» Time/ Site 6 p.m. at The Reese
Middle Tennessee (10-7) vs. Kennesaw State (7-6)
Saturday, March 14
» Time/ Site 3 p.m. at The Reese
Middle Tennessee (10-7) vs. Kennesaw State (7-6)
Sunday, March 15
» Time/ Site 1 p.m. at The Reese
Last Five Games (Blue Raiders Trail 1-4)
Date Results Location
5.17.25 L, 0-10 Kennesaw, Ga.
5.16.25 L, 4-7 Kennesaw, Ga.
5.15.25 L, 6-11 Kennesaw, Ga.
3.5.17 W, 9-7 Murfreesboro, Tenn.
3.4.17 L, 5-19 Murfreesboro, Tenn.
Last Time Out: Middle Tennessee fired on all cylinders in the midweek win over EKU, taking down the Colonels 17-0.
New Beginnings: This weekend's Kennesaw State series marks the beginning of Conference USA play. The Blue Raiders are a year removed from missing out on the CUSA Tournament, and will be jockeying for playoff positioning early.
Triple Double: Blue Raiders first baseman Tyler Minnick had a historic day at the plate against EKU. The Smyrna, Georgia native tallied three doubles with four RBI in the win, becoming the first MTSU hitter to notch three doubles in a game since 2016.
Pop Behind the Plate: MTSU's catcher tandem of Tyler Minnick and Dean O'Neill have provided some serious pop from behind the dish. Minnick has slugged four home runs, including a solo shot against Murray State and leads CUSA with 23 RBI. O'Neill leads the team with six round trippers, with two of them coming against Belmont while pacing the league with 23 hits.
BeraneKKKK: Senior right-hander Bryant Beranek shoved in one of the best outings of his career against EKU. The Spring Hill, Tennessee native totaled the second longest outing of his career (4.1 IP) while striking out four Colonels. Beranek pounded the zone, allowing no walks in the win.
Rogers' Streak: Redshirt sophomore outfielder Brett Rogers has had an incredible start to this year's campaign. The Blue Raiders' everyday right fielder is in the midst of an 11-game hitting streak and a 14-game on base streak. Rogers is second in CUSA in hits (25) and third in batting average (.379).
Honk your Horn: Right-hander Drew Horn was named to the National Pitcher of the Year Watch list on Wednesday. Horn holds a 4.60 ERA through 15.2 IP so far this season. The redshirt junior was the Blue Raiders' lone selection to the All-CUSA Preseason Team.
Vondo Gondo!: Blue Raider third baseman Brett Vondohlen had a strong day in the batter's box on March 7 against UAB. Across two games, the redshirt junior went 4-for-9 from the plate with three home runs and seven RBI.
Ol' Reliable: Left-hander Chandler Alderman had a strong performance against the Blazers in game one on Saturday. Across 7.0+ innings, the 6-foot-5 southpaw held the UAB offense to two runs and two walks while striking out five hitters.
Power Surge: Senior transfer C/1B Dean O'Neill has been a huge part of the Blue Raider offense with a recent power surge. O'Neill is second in Conference USA in home runs (6) and tied for the lead in RBI (21). Both marks lead the team.
Layne Train Leaving the Station: Redshirt freshman Layne Akers has been heating up as of late in the DH spot for Middle Tennessee. In six games, the Murfreesboro native has hit two home runs and six RBI while batting at a .263 clip.
Lookout for Sticks!: Fifth-year shortstop Clay Badylak was named to the Brooks Wallace Award Watchlist. The award goes to the top shortstop in the nation each year.
Through 17 games, Badylak has taken charge of the Blue Raider infield at shortstop with 32 assists and a .981 fielding percentage.
Starters Galore: The Blue Raider pitching staff has boasted plenty of depth through the first month of the season with seven different pitchers earning starts on the mound.
Drew Horn, Chandler Alderman, David Horn Jr., Gavin King, Bryant Beranek, Abel Albarran and Ethan Robinson have all earned the nod from the coaching staff.
Lightning Strikes 3x: The Blue Raiders led off the midweek game against Belmont with back-to-back-to-back home runs against the Bruins. Owen Nowak, Dean O'Neill and Brett Rogers gave Middle Tennessee a 3-0 lead before recording an out.
One For Your Trouble: The Blue Raider pitching quartet of Drew Horn, Mason Dobbs, Collin Kerrigan and Landen Burch combined for a one-hitter against Murray State on March 3. Horn surrendered the one hit on an RBI single to center field.
OPS'ing to the Moon: Through 17 games, five qualified Blue Raiders boast an OPS of over 1.000: Owen Nowak, Dean O'Neill, Tyler Minnick, Brett Rogers and Cooper Clapp.
Watch the Blue Raiders: Select MTSU home games will be on ESPN+ in 2026. Road game broadcasts are subject to the home team's broadcast protocols. WGNS will carry the team's radio broadcasts.
Follow the Blue Raiders: Stay up to date with the Blue Raiders on X (@MT_Baseball), Facebook (Blue Raider Baseball) and Instagram (@MT_Baseball).
