Blue Raiders clinch opening CUSA series

Saturday, March 7

Kennesaw, Ga.

4:00 PM

Middle Tennessee

9-10, 1-0

Kennesaw State

4-15, 0-1

Middle Tenn.

Kennesaw St.

3/7/2026 7:45:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

By: Andie Dolven / MTSU Athletic Communications

KENNESAW, Ga. – Middle Tennessee Softball (10-10, 2-0 CUSA) took down Kennesaw State (4-16, 0-2 CUSA) twice to clinch the opening Conference USA series. The Blue Raiders defeated the Owls by a score of 5-3 in 12 innings as a continuation of game one and by a score of 11-5 in game two.

The Blue Raiders kicked off the day in the top of the fourth inning as a continuation of yesterday's game, where Lucie McDonald knocked a 2 RBI single for Middle Tennessee to take the lead. Kennesaw State would respond in the bottom of the fifth to tie the score before both teams would take this game the distance. It wasn't until the 12th inning that the Blue Raiders would take the lead with a solo home run off the bat of McDonald. Macie Harter would blast a second solo shot in that same inning, Mady Pint also driving an RBI double that would inevitably seal the deal for Middle Tennessee.

Braelyn Hall threw a complete 12.0 inning game, the most innings a single pitcher has thrown for Middle Tennessee since Amber Baldwin threw 13.0 against FIU in 2021. Hall finished the game with a career high seven strikeouts and just two earned runs.

The Blue Raiders got the bats hot early in game two, Kennedy Chatman blasting her first home run at Middle Tennessee in the top of the first inning to take a 3-0 lead. Kennesaw State would take the lead in the bottom of the second, holding it until Middle Tennessee would later blow the game open in the top of the sixth. Chatman recorded her second home run of the game, Ansley Blevins blasting a two-run shot of her own not long after to take the lead back. Pint and Aubrey Baker also recorded RBIs in the top of the 6th to add to the Blue Raider lead.

Blevins and Harter would record an RBI each in the seventh inning to tie the most runs scored by Middle Tennessee this season. Mary Martinez got the start in the circle for the Blue Raiders, pitching two innings and striking out one before Elle Hildreth entered the game in relief. Hildreth pitched three innings before Tori Coffman took over in the circle for the first time since the Trojan Classic. Coffman pitched two innings of scoreless relief to close out the game and secure the series win for Middle Tennessee.

By the Numbers

5: Four different Blue Raiders slugged five home runs today, highlighted by Lucie McDonald's go-ahead home run in game one and Kennedy Chatman's two homers in game two.
8: Middle Tennessee turned yet another double play in game one against Kennesaw State, making that the eighth consecutive game that the Blue Raiders have turned a double play.
12: Today's 12 inning game against Kennesaw State is tied for the longest game recorded in NCAA Division 1 during the 2026 season; just one other game has gone to 12 innings.

Up Next

The Blue Raiders are slated to play the Owls one final time tomorrow at 11:00 a.m. CT. The game will be streamed on ESPN+.

Keeping Up with the Blue Raiders

Follow Middle Tennessee Softball on social media:

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