Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Middle Tennessee
Missouri State
Blue Raider baseball hits the road for CUSA series with Missouri State
3/19/2026 3:30:00 PM | Baseball
March 20-22, 2026 | Hammons Field | Springfield, Mo. |
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Missouri State Bears 12-7, 2-1 CUSA |
vs | Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders 12-9, 2-1 CUSA |
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SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - Middle Tennessee baseball is hitting the road for its first away Conference USA series, taking on the Missouri State Bears.
A newcomer to CUSA, the Bears had a strong start to its tenure in the league last weekend. Missouri State took two of three games on the road against the Liberty Flames. In the non-conference slate, the Bears had standout series with a sweep against Memphis, while being swept by Ole Miss the weekend before.
This will be the Blue Raiders first matchup against the Bears since 2020, and the first series between the two since 2009.
Friday, March 20
» Time/ Site 6:30 p.m. at Hammons Field
Middle Tennessee (12-9, 2-1 CUSA) vs. Missouri State (12-7, 2-1 CUSA)
Saturday, March 21
» Time/ Site 2 p.m. at Hammons Field
Middle Tennessee (12-9, 2-1 CUSA) vs. Missouri State (12-7, 2-1 CUSA)
Sunday, March 22
» Time/ Site 1 p.m. at Hammons Field
TVLast Five Games (Blue Raiders Lead 4-1)
Date Results Location
02.23.20 W, 4-0 Murfreesboro, Tenn.
02.26.17 L, 0-5 Murfreesboro, Tenn.
02.22.09 W, 7-6 Murfreesboro, Tenn.
02.21.09 W, 12-6 Murfreesboro, Tenn.
02.20.09 W, 19-4 Murfreesboro, Tenn.
Last Time Out: Middle Tennessee fell in its second midweek matchup to Murray State on Tuesday, 3-5. Cooper Clapp picked up his fifth home run of the season with a solo shot, while John Michael Pickens threw a career-high 4.2 IP out of the bullpen for the Blue Raiders.
Milestone Watch: Middle Tennessee Skipper Jerry Meyers is on the verge of a career milestone, sitting on 249 wins in his career. Meyers could grab win 250 as soon as Tuesday's game against Murray State. A potential win would also be his 83rd at the helm of the Middle Tennessee's club.
Hits, Hits and More Hits: Blue Raider right fielder Brett Rogers is leading the way in overall hits for Conference USA with 31. The Chattanooga native is also chasing the league's batting title, with a .388 mark slotting him into third place. Rogers catapulted himself into first place with a 4-for-4 performance to cap off a series win against Kennesaw State.
Leadoff Thump: Centerfielder Owen Nowak had a big week out of the leadoff spot for the Blue Raiders. In four games played, the junior lefty hit .500/.556/1.000 with eight hits, seven RBI, two doubles and two home runs. Nowak slugged the walk-off, run-rule home run in the Saturday win over Kennesaw State.
A Grand Brewer: Left fielder Nathan Brewer broke through in the game two run-rule win against Kennesaw State, blasting a grand slam to right field. Brewer's second home run of the year was MTSU's first grandslam since March of 2025, when Brett Vondohlen walked off UT Martin with a grand slam.
Royalty in the 'Pen: In Friday's 6-1 loss to Kennesaw State, right-hander Gavin King turned in his top performance of the year in a relief role. The Nashville native tossed 5.0 innings, allowing only two hits and one run while striking out five batters.
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.
Junior's Back on Track: Senior right-hander David Horn Jr. got himself back on track in his latest start in game three against Kennesaw State. As apart of the Blue Raiders' 4-3 win, Horn Jr., tossed a season-high of 5.1 innings, with five strikeouts and only one earned run allowed.
Honk your Horn: Right-hander Drew Horn was named to the National Pitcher of the Year Watchlist 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.
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 while O'Neill leads the team with six roundtrippers, with two of them coming against Belmont while pacing the league with 23 hits.
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 two of the series. 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.
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 protocals. 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).
