Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Middle Tennessee
Jacksonville State
Blue Raider baseball travels for conference set with Jax State
4/1/2026 5:30:00 PM | Baseball
April 2-4, 2026 | Rudy Abbott Field | Jacksonville, Ala. |
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Jacksonville State Gamecocks 24-6, 9-0 CUSA |
vs | Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders 16-13, 5-4 CUSA |
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JACKSONVILLE, Ala. - Middle Tennessee baseball is heading south for a weekend series against Conference USA foe, the Jacksonville State Gamecocks.
Both the Blue Raiders and Gamecocks are coming off of series sweeps from last weekend. Middle Tennessee took a three game set from NM State, while Jax State won all three on the road against LA Tech. This marked Jax State's third straight series sweep to start conference play, becoming the first team to accomplish this feat in Conference USA.
This weekend's series will start a day early than typical, with game one on Thursday night due to the upcoming Easter holiday.
Thursday, April 2
» Time/ Site 6 p.m. at Abbott Field
Middle Tennessee (16-13, 5-4 CUSA) at Jax State (24-6, 9-0 CUSA)
Friday, April 3
» Time/ Site 6 p.m. at Abbott Field
Middle Tennessee (16-13, 5-4 CUSA) at Jax State (24-6, 9-0 CUSA)
Saturday, April 4
» Time/ Site 1 p.m. at Abbott Field
TVLast Five Games (Blue Raiders Lead 4-1)
Date Results Location
05.11.24 L, 2-9 Jacksonville, Ala.
05.12.24 W, 3-2 Jacksonville, Ala.
05.02.25 W, 5-4 Murfreesboro, Tenn.
05.04.25 L, 3-11 Murfreesboro, Tenn.
05.04.25 L, 4-8 Murfreesboro, Tenn.
Breaking out the Brooms: The Blue Raiders' series sweep over NM State was the team's first sweep since taking down Sam Houston last May during the team's last home series. Prior to that, Middle Tennessee's last Conference USA sweep was in 2023 against rival Western Kentucky.
Huge Homeruns: Along with Akers' grand slam on Sunday, Nathan Brewer and Dean O'Neill added to the long ball total. Brewer picked up his fifth home run of the year with a two-run home run, while O'Neill added his team-leading ninth homer on a pulled solo home run off the Lee Victory Wall.
Kerrigan's Killin' It: Left-hander Colin Kerrigan had an exceptional weekend out of the bullpen for Middle Tennessee, picking up two decisions in the first two games of the weekend series.
On Friday night, the Nashville native picked up his second win of the season in a dominant outing, striking out the side in the ninth. Kerrigan returned to the bump on Saturday, picking up the save while striking out three across 1.2 IP.
Horn Helps Out: Right-handed pitcher Drew Horn had a bounce back outing against NM State on Saturday, picking up his second win of the season in a 6.0 IP outing. Horn struck out six while lowering his season ERA by nearly a full run.
Picking Pick Out of the 'Pen: Junior left-hander John Micheal Pickens accumulated a 10.2 IP scoreless streak into the NM State weekend through five appearances. Pickens struck out nine batters in this near two-week span before having it snapped on a run in the seventh inning on Sunday.
Milestone Reached: MTSU Skipper Jerry Meyers picked up his 250th career win after Tuesday's game against Alabama A&M. It was Meyers' 83rd win at the helm of Middle Tennessee's club midway through his fourth season in Murfreesboro.
Hits, Hits and More Hits: Blue Raider right fielder Brett Rogers is leading the way in overall hits for Conference USA with 40. The Chattanooga native is also chasing the league's batting title, with a .379 mark slotting him into second place in CUSA.
Opening Day Blue Raiders: Five former Blue Raiders are on the verge of beginning the season in affiliated ranks. RHPs Jaden Hamm (Detroit), Trace Phillips (Tampa Bay), Eriq Swan (Washington) along with catchers Jeremiah Boyd (Arizona) and Aaron Antonini (Detroit) are scheduled to begin the year in the MiLB.
Beranek Battles: Right-hander Bryant Beranek had another strong midweek outing while picking up the win in a 10-2 victory over Alabama A&M. Beranek scattered five hits across 5.0 shutout innings.
Decisions, Decisions: Blue Raider right-hander Landen Burch leads the team in both wins and losses with a 4-3 record. The Corning, New York native is tied for the CUSA lead in wins with four, while being tied for the team lead in saves with two.
5x5: After this weekend's series, Middle Tennessee boasts five different players with five or more home runs: Dean O'Neill (9), Owen Nowak (5), Cooper Clapp (5), Nathan Brewer (5) and Tyler Minnick (5).
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).
