Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Middle Tennessee
Western Kentucky
Middle Tennessee preps for Pool A play in CUSA Baseball Championship
5/19/2026 2:30:00 PM | Baseball
May 20-24, 2026 | Mickey Dunn Stadium | Kennesaw, Ga. |
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Western Kentucky Hilltoppers 29-26, 14-16 CUSA |
vs | Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders 26-29, 12-18 CUSA |
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KENNESAW, Ga.- Middle Tennessee baseball has reached Conference USA's postseason, pulling a draw into Pool A for the CUSA Baseball Championship on campus of Kennesaw State in Kennesaw, Ga. The Blue Raiders are slated for a rematch with rival Western Kentucky, along with the regular season champion Jacksonville State.
The first matchup for Pool A is on Wednesday between the Blue Raiders and the Hilltoppers. Middle Tennessee has a quick turn around, facing Jacksonville State on Thursday. Both games are scheduled for a 12:30 p.m. CDT first pitch, with the games broadcast on ESPN+ along with a radio broadcast on the Blue Raider Network.
Wednesday, May 20
» Time/ Site 12:30 p.m. at Mickey Dunn Stadium
May 20-24, 2026 | Mickey Dunn Stadium | Kennesaw, Ga. |
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Jacksonville State Gamecocks 42-13, 23-7 CUSA |
at | Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders 26-29, 12-18 CUSA |
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Middle Tennessee (26-29, 12-18 CUSA) vs Jax State (42-13, 23-7 CUSA)
Thursday, May 21
» Time/ Site 12:30 p.m. at Mickey Dunn Stadium
Last 5 CUSA Tournament Games
Date Results Location
05.24.24- SHSU L, 0-2 Hattiesburg, Miss.
05.22.24- LA Tech L, 2-8 Hattiesburg, Miss.
05.27.23- Charlotte L, 8-9 Houston, Texas
05.27.23- Charlotte L, 9-12 Houston, Texas
05.25.23- LA Tech W, 7-6 Houston, Texas
Last Time Out: The Blue Raiders fell in the final game of the regular season in an 8-7 nailbiter against Liberty. Senior first baseman Dean O'Neill slugged a home run in his final game at The Reese, while Cole Torbett notched 4.0+ IP of one-run ball.
Pool Time: As the nine seed, the Blue Raiders have been placed in Pool A alongside six seed Western Kentucky and one seed Jax State. In the regular season, Middle Tennessee went a combined 1-5 against the two.
The Iceman: Blue Raider right-hander David Horn Jr. took home his first career CUSA weekly award this past Monday after being named the Pitcher of the Week. Horn tossed 7.0 innings of one-run ball, tying a career-high nine strikouts in the 8-1 win over the Flames.
Cooper ClaPPPPP: Cooper Clapp made history last week, becoming the first Blue Raider since Rawley Bishop in 2008 to homer in five straight games. Clapp homered in the final two games of the FIU series, against Memphis and the first two games against Liberty.
All Good Streaks End: Catcher Tyler Minnick's on-base streak was snapped over the weekend after accumulating a 43-game streak.
CUSA Awards: Three Blue Raiders took home All-CUSA honors following the conclusion of the regular season. Center fielder Owen Nowak, catcher Tyler Minnick and designated hitter Layne Akers all took home Second Team All-CUSA honors. Akers also earned a spot on the All-Freshman team.
Scouting the 'Tops: WKU finished the regular season as the six seed, after going 29-26. The Hilltoppers are led by standout bat Lane Arroyos, who led CUSA in batting average (.366) and doubles (24).
Scouting the Chickens: Jax State took home the CUSA regular season championship after a 23-7 year in league play. The Gamecocks are the league's highest rated team in RPI, and have been led by a strong pitching staff including All-CUSA selections Eli Pillsbury and Steven Cash.
Bounce Back: LHP Cole Torbett had a bounce back outing in game three against Liberty, tossing 4.0+ innings of one-run ball. This was Torbett's first outing of four or more innnings and less than two runs since he blanked Delaware across 8.2 innings, on the way to CUSA Pitcher of the Week for April 20.
Milestone Hit: The Blue Raiders win over Memphis marks the program's 1,700th win all-time. Middle Tennessee baseball is currently 1,700-1,394-10.
Brewer Bashes: Middle Tennessee left fielder Nathan Brewer rewrote the history books in the Blue Raiders' 11-9 win on Friday night over FIU. The Murfreesboro native clubbed four home runs in the series opener, as part of a 5-for-5 day with six RBI. Brewer is the first in Blue Raider baseball history and Conference USA baseball history to hit four home runs in a game.
Returning to Strength: Blue Raider right-hander Drew Horn made his second appearance since coming back from injury, providing 3.0 innings of two-run ball in game three against Liberty.
Horn was the Blue Raiders' lone preseason All-CUSA selection, and holds the program's most recent no-hitter.
OPS Success: Heading into the final week of the regular season, four Blue Raiders boast an on base plus slugging percentage of .900 or higher: Nathan Brewer, Tyler Minnick, Owen Nowak and Cooper Clapp.
K Counter: David Horn Jr. is up to 79 strikeouts on the season, placing him sixth in Conference USA. Gavin King's 59 strikeouts would slot him 12th in the league leaderboard if qualified.
Iron Man Watch: Four Blue Raider position players played in all 55 games in the regular season: Brett Rogers, Dean O'Neill, Owen Nowak and Brett Vondohlen.
Weekend arms David Horn Jr. and Chandler Alderman appeared in all 14 weekend series.
Bombs Away!: Following the weekend series against Liberty, the Blue Raiders boast four players with double digit home runs. Nathan Brewer (12), Dean O'Neill (11), Cooper Clapp (11) (10) have been supplying the power for Middle
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).
