Cooper Clapp’s two out, two-RBI single in the eighth inning gives Middle Tennessee a 7-5 win over New Mexico State

Friday, March 27

Murfreesboro, Tenn.

6 p.m.

Middle Tennessee

14-12, 3-4

New Mexico State

11-14, 3-4

New Mexico St.

Middle Tenn.

3/27/2026 10:24:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

By: Anthony Fiorella, MTSU Athletic Communications

MURFREESBORO, Tenn.—Middle Tennessee (14-12, 3-4 CUSA) second baseman Cooper Clapp had yet to record a hit when he stepped to the plate with the bases loaded and two outs in the bottom of the eighth. With two walks and two runs to his credit, however, he had one of the more successful games at the dish against New Mexico State (11-14, 3-4 CUSA) and he drilled a 2-1 pitch into right field to plate a pair and help Middle Tennessee win the series opener 7-5 in a ballgame in which they had trailed twice.

Both teams scored an unearned run prior to a two-RBI double by New Mexico State leadoff hitter, Steve Solorzano, that ended Middle Tennessee starter Chandler Alderman's day after four innings. With runners on first and third, Aggie cleanup hitter Boston Vest laid down a bunt and Blue Raider catcher Dean O'Neill made a great diving play to tag Solorzano out at the plate to save a run and help reliever Landen Burch pitch out of the jam.

Burch, who leads the Blue Raiders in both wins and losses, lasted 2.1 innings and allowed two earned runs with two strikeouts.

Middle Tennessee re-took the lead in the fifth inning after an RBI infield single out of Brett Vondohlen and a two out, two-rbi knock through the left side of the infield by Layne Akers to make it 4-3. Two innings later, New Mexico State added a pair of runs to chase Burch. Lefty John Michael Pickens came in and left an Aggie stranded on third with less than two outs by getting two big strikeouts to keep it a 5-4 game.

Middle Tennessee responded in the bottom of the seventh when Nathan Brewer laced an RBI double down the left field line, scoring Cooper Clapp all the way from first base to tie the game at five.

Pickens, who threw three scoreless innings in Tuesday's win over Alabaman A&M, has now thrown 8.0 straight scoreless innings out of the bullpen, stretching across four outings. He struck out three in an inning of work before Colin Kerrigan came out of the bullpen and left runners stranded on second and third to preserve the tie in the eighth.

Kerrigan became the third reliever to enter the game and strand an Aggie on third base immediately coming out of the bullpen and struck out the side in order in the ninth to earn the win, finishing with four strikeouts in 1.2 innings.

Offensively, Clapp had three RBIs and reached base four times. Brett Vondohlen and Clay Badylak both had multi-hit games and Nathan Brewer reached base three times with an RBI.

By the Numbers

6: starts this season in which Chandler Alderman has allowed two earned runs or less.

8: Straight scoreless innings out of the bullpen for John Michael Pickens.

3: Blue Raider pitchers left a runner on third base with less than two outs when entering the ballgame tonight.

The Skipper Speaks (Jerry Meyers)

"There's a few others I'd like (to hit during Clapp's clutch at-bat), but (Clapp) is definitely one of the players in that group," said Middle Tennessee Head Coach Jerry Meyers. "You know you're going to get a mature at-bat and keep the moment in focus. We wanted that kind of at-bat. Dean (O'Neill) didn't chase and it allowed Clapp to get to the plate, and that was huge. He played coming back from a broken hamate last year and wasn't quite the guy on opening day last year. He battles and I'll pick him over anyone else in our league at his position. He's calm, and has a great competitive fire about him."

Player Perspective (LHP John Michael Pickens)

"Coming out of this fall and into the spring, I had some trouble locating my changeup," Pickens said. "After working with Coach Meyers and (pitching coach Adam Wisniewski) it's been working well. I've been able to command it and land it in the zone and it's been a big piece of my success, as well as my slider. Things have really been starting to come together. Whether it's bases loaded, one on, two on, I just want to come in and give our team a chance to win."

Player Perspective (IF Cooper Clapp)

"(Patience) really helped me a lot in that last at-bat," Clapp said. "I just tried to stay calm and make sure that I got the right pitch to swing at. I knew (New Mexico state right-hander Jack Turner) had a great sinker, so I was just trying to sit dead-red and see one up and put a good swing on one."

Up next

Game two of the series with New Mexico State is scheduled for tomorrow at 3:00 p.m. CDT from Reese Smith Jr. Field. The game can be watched on ESPN+ and heard on the Blue Raider Network, while being broadcasted on WGNS.