Displaying items by tag: baseball
MT opens play Wednesday at 3 p.m. in Bowling Green, Ky.
NEW ORLEANS - The Middle Tennessee baseball team has earned the No. 7 seed for the 2012 Sun Belt Tournament and will face No. 2 seed Arkansas State at 3 p.m. on Wednesday at the Bowling Green Ballpark in Bowling Green, Ky. The Blue Raiders and Red Wolves, along with the No. 3 seed FIU Panthers and No. 6 seed Troy Trojans, comprise Pool B for the round-robin tournament hosted by Western Kentucky University.
MT (29-27, 14-16 SBC) will be making its 11th Sun Belt Tournament appearance, having only missed the tournament last season since joining the league for the 2001 season. This marks the first time the Blue Raiders have earned the No. 7 seed.
Ironically, since the tournament changed to an eight-team format in 1999, the No. 7 seed has qualified for the championship twice, and both times they faced the Blue Raiders. WKU is the only seven-seed to win the championship, knocking off fourth-seeded MT in 2004. In 2009, top-seeded MT defeated No. 7 seed ULM for the title.
Overall, the Blue Raiders have appeared in the championship game six times and won it twice, boasting the field’s best winning percentage in tournament games (.641). Prior to the 2009 championship, MT won as the No. 6 seed over fifth-seeded WKU in 2003. The Blue Raiders have played in the title game three times as the top seed, twice as the No. 6 seed and once as the No. 4 seed.
MT enters Wednesday’s contest after closing out the regular season with a 6-1 win over WKU. The Blue Raiders went 1-2 against Arkansas State April 27-29, dropping a pair of 8-5 decisions before earning a 5-3 11-inning win in the series finale.
The Red Wolves (32-21, 19-9 SBC) will be making their third consecutive tournament appearance as the team goes for its first SBC tournament title since 1994. ASU posted its most conference wins (19) since the 1995 season and its most overall wins (32) since 2005.
The tournament will feature a round robin format that showcases eight of the ten SBC teams competing against each other in two four-team pools. Pool A is comprised of top seed Florida Atlantic, No. 4 South Alabama, No. 5 ULM and No. 8 WKU. The Owls and the Jaguars hold the best winning percentage in Pool A at 0.667 (6-3) while FIU owns the best winning percentage in Pool B at 0.778 (7-2).
Championship Family Night kicks-off the festivities for the 2012 championship on Tuesday, May 22 at 7 p.m. To visit tournament central, click here.
2012 Sun Belt Conference Tournament Seeds (Season Record)
1. Florida Atlantic (31-20, 19-8 SBC) – A
2. Arkansas State (32-12, 19-9 SBC) – B
3. FIU (31-23, 15-14 SBC) – B
4. South Alabama (21-33, 15-15 SBC) – A
5. Louisiana-Monroe (28-27, 15-15 SBC) – A
6. Troy (26-29, 14-16 SBC) – B
7. Middle Tennessee (29-27, 14-16 SBC) – B
8. Western Kentucky (24-31, 13-17) – A
2012 Sun Belt Conference Tournament Schedule
Wednesday, May 23
G1: (5) Louisiana-Monroe vs. (4) South Alabama, 11 a.m.
G2: (7) Middle Tennessee vs. (2) Arkansas State, 3 p.m.
G3: (8) Western Kentucky vs. (1) Florida Atlantic, 7 p.m.
(3 and 6 are off)
Thursday, May 24
G4: (6) Troy vs. (3) FIU, 11 a.m.
G5: (1) Florida Atlantic vs. (5) Louisiana-Monroe, 3 p.m.
G6: (4) South Alabama vs. (8) Western Kentucky, 7 p.m.
(2 and 7 are off)
Friday, May 25
G7: (3) FIU vs. (7) Middle Tennessee, 11 a.m.
G8: (2) Arkansas State vs. (6) Troy, 3 p.m.
G9*: (1) Florida Atlantic vs. (4) South Alabama, 7 p.m.
(5 and 8 are off)
Saturday, May 26
G10*: (6) Troy vs. (7) Middle Tennessee, 11 a.m.
G11*: (2) Arkansas State vs. (3) FIU, 3 p.m.
G12*: (5) Louisiana-Monroe vs. (8) Western Kentucky, 7 p.m.
(1 and 4 are off)
Championship Sunday, May 27
G13: Pool A Champion vs. Pool B Champion, 1 p.m.
All Times Central and Subject to Change
Courtesy of Athletic Communications, GoBlueRaiders.com
MT clinches Sun Belt Tournament berth despite loss
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. - The Middle Tennessee baseball team rallied twice against WKU to force extra innings on Friday night, but the Blue Raiders dropped a heartbreaker, 5-4, in 13 innings at Nick Denes Field. Despite the loss, MT clinched a berth for next week’s Sun Belt Tournament based on other results in the league.
“We will take any way we can to get in the tournament, then we’ll see what happens after that because you just never know in baseball,” head coach Steve Peterson said. “Obviously, we’d love to take a win entering the tournament. My team played hard (tonight), but we had all kinds of chances and couldn’t get it done. I know we left a lot of runners on because we couldn’t get big hits and made some crucial mistakes.”
The Blue Raiders (28-27, 13-16 SBC) stranded 20 base-runners in the contest, primarily due to a plethora of two-out hits. MT scored all four of its runs with two outs and collected 10 two-out hits, but failed to string together more than two hits in any two-out situation.
The Blue Raiders drew first blood on Ryan Ford’s RBI-single in the second. Ryan Stephens drew a two-out walk and Dain McNabb followed with a base-knock to left in front of Ford’s run-scoring rip to right.
Ford would finish 2-for-7 with a pair of RBI, while McNabb went 2-for-4 with an RBI a run and a pair of key sacrifices.
WKU (24-30, 13-16 SBC) evened the score in the third on a pair of singles from Blake Crabtree and Scott Wilcox, then put two more on the board in the fifth for a 3-1 lead. Crabtree and Jared Andreoli reached on singles and moved up on a wild pitch before Ivan Hartle smacked one back up the middle to deliver the two-run blow.
MT immediately responded with a pair of runs to knot the game at three all in the sixth, once again coming up with key two-out hitting. Jordan Rorex knocked one to left and McNabb laced a two-out double to the right-center gap to bring the Blue Raiders within one. Ford tied it up with a shot up the middle the middle for his second RBI of the day.
Still tied at 3-3 in the seventh, WKU managed to push a run across on a Blue Raider miscue. Crabtree took a walk to open the frame and made his way to second on another Hartle single. Wilcox grounded to third, but Justin Guidry’s throw to second hit Hartle and rolled into the outfield, allowing Crabtree to charge home from third for the go-ahead run. The Hilltoppers loaded the bases on another walk, but Hank LaRue, McNabb and Guidry combined for a clutch double play to prevent any further damage.
That defensive momentum carried into the eighth where the Blue Raiders rallied again, scoring another two-out run to re-tie the game at four. Stephens sparked the comeback with a leadoff single and McNabb bunted him to second. Guidry delivered the game-tying run with a two-out base-knock to right-center as Stephens crossed the plate for the second time.
The two teams would remain knotted through the next four frames, with each side working out of jams to preserve the tie. MT left two on in the 10th, stranded Stephens at third with one out in the 12th and loaded the bases in the 13th, but couldn’t come up with the timely hit.
The Hilltoppers left two on in the 10th before tallying the game-winning run in the 13th. It was Jared Andreoli with the bases-loaded single that broke up the stalemate and handed WKU the victory.
Joey McClung (4-2) suffered the loss for MT despite a solid relief effort of 5.0 innings. He allowed three hits and just the one run while striking out four. Justin Hageman (4-6) picked up the win for WKU after holding MT scoreless through 5.2 while giving up four hits.
The two teams will meet for the final game of the regular season on Saturday at 1 p.m. Johnathan Frebis will take the mound for MT. Dick Palmer and John Callow will have the call on WMOT 89.5.
Blue Raiders have won last two meetings
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - After posting victories in each of the past two meetings with SEC foe Tennessee, the Middle Tennessee baseball team will look to close out the 2012 non-conference slate in style on Tuesday evening when it welcomes the Volunteers back to Reese Smith Jr. Field.
The Blue Raiders are coming into the game with a 27-25 record this season, and despite his .263 average, Ryan Stephens will look to factor in helping MT to a 28th win. The sophomore outfielder, perhaps known more for his defensive prowess, has played a major role in each of the past two victories over the Vols, coming up with the 10th inning game-winning hit in February's 5-4 win in Knoxville and finishing a single shy of the cycle in last season's 12-3 rout in Murfreesboro.
MT will also be looking for offense from the trio of Justin Guidry, Trent Miller and Hank LaRue. The group has combined for .347 average with 107 runs scored and 104 batted in.
Paul Mittura will be making the start on the mound for the Blue and White, and it marks his first of the year. The sophomore carries a 2-1 record with a team-best 2.05 earned run average in 22 appearances. He's played in each of the past two games vs. UT, allowing an unearned run earlier this season and pitching a perfect ninth in last year's win.
MT is 10-25 vs. the Vols since head coach Steve Peterson took control of the baseball program in 1988. A win on Tuesday would mark the third consecutive against UT, a feat that has not been accomplished by MT since taking home four in a row from 1987-88.
UT enters the meeting with a 24-27 mark this year, and currently sit sixth in the SEC East with an 8-19 conference record.
First pitch is on Tuesday is set for 6 p.m.
Courtesy of Athletic Communications, GoBlueRaiders.com
Third baseman hit .727 with 1.091 slugging percentage
NEW ORLEANS - Middle Tennessee third baseman Hank LaRue has been named the Sun Belt Player of the Week, as announced on Monday by the league office. It marks the first weekly award of LaRue’s career and second this season for a Blue Raider.
LaRue hit .727 over the weekend to go along with a 1.091 slugging percentage in MT’s three games against FIU. The Evansville, Ind., native recorded multiple hits in all three games and at least one RBI in two contests. He collected a pair of hits in the opener then belted his third home run of the season in the second game. It gave the Blue Raiders a 3-0 lead in the top of the first and marked his seventh multi-RBI game of the season. LaRue capped off the weekend with his second 3-for-4 performance in a 13-3 rout of the Panthers, giving him 19 multi-hit performances this year.
The sophomore currently sits third on the team with a .330 average and is tied for second on the team with 30 RBI. He joins Hunter Adkins, who earned the league’s Pitcher of the Week honor on Feb. 27, as the two Blue Raiders to earn weekly awards this season.
LaRue and the Blue Raiders will play their final conference home series this weekend against Louisiana at Reese Smith Jr. Field. First pitch is slated for Friday at 6 p.m. CT.
Courtesy of Athletic Communications, GoBlueRaiders.com
Centerfielder goes 4-for-4 with three RBI
MIAMI - Ryan Stephens’ 4-for-4, three-RBI day highlighted a 17-hit performance for the Middle Tennessee baseball team in a 13-3 run-rule victory over FIU on Sunday at FIU Baseball Stadium. Seven Blue Raiders drove in a run and five recorded multiple hits on the afternoon.
“It was great baseball all the way around, and that’s the way we should be playing,” Stephens said. “We put a ton of hits together and that’s what you have to do to win a ballgame. We had been slacking with runners in scoring position, but today showed we can get the job done. Down two games, you have to battle because it’s do or die, and that’s what we did.”
Ethan Williams matched Stephens with a trio of RBI, going 3-for-4 at the plate, while Ryan Ford and Trent Miller each drove in a pair of runs.
“What a great day we had swinging the bat,” head coach Steve Peterson said. “We matched up very well with their bullpen, stayed aggressive and had some clutch at-bats. After getting beat twice, that says something about my team, that they’re not going to cash their chips in. Ryan Stephens just had a career day, and hopefully he’ll continue that into the next weekend.”
But the hot bats were only part of MT’s (26-23, 12-12 Sun Belt) dominant performance, as the pitching staff held the Panthers at bay in the seven-inning contest. Three hurlers combined to give up just three hits, with Joey McClung (4-1) picking up the win for his 2.2 innings of relief. McClung allowed one hit, while starter Jonathan Sisco took a no-hitter into the fourth before giving up a pair of base-knocks and three runs through 3.2 innings. Jordan Cooper picked up the final two outs of the contest to seal the shortened victory.
“Joey McClung did an outstanding job in relief,” Peterson said. “It was huge that he was able to close the door.”
Stephens’ career day started with the game’s first run, a solo shot to lead off the third. He collected his second RBI after joining the hit parade in the fourth. Hank LaRue opened the frame with a walk, then Williams, Johnny Thomas and Robert Lawrence pounded consecutive RBI-doubles before Stephens’ base-knock made it a 5-0 lead.
The Panthers (28-20, 13-11 SBC) closed the gap to two in the fourth, putting their first and only runs on the board, but McClung’s strikeout of leadoff batter Pablo Bermudez with two on and two out minimized the damage.
Still leading 5-3 in the sixth, the Blue Raiders exploded for eight runs, marking the second time this season MT has accumulated eight runs in an inning (vs. South Alabama, 4/1/12). Stephens led the onslaught, churning out two hits, an RBI and a run in the frame. Eight consecutive Blue Raiders reached base thanks to six hits and a pair of walks, including two-run singles from Ford and Miller and a two-run triple from Williams.
With MT on the brink of the run-rule victory, the Panthers managed to put runners at the corners with two outs in the sixth with Bermudez once again coming to the plate. It was Stephens again in the clutch, this time showing off his defensive prowess with a spectacular catch into the centerfield wall to end the threat and preserve the 10-run lead.
After a hit batter opened the seventh, McClung and Cooper retired the final three in a row to claim the series finale for MT.
The Blue Raiders will play their final conference home series this weekend, welcoming Louisiana for the three-game stretch. First pitch is slated for 6 p.m. CT on Friday. Saturday’s contest will feature Senior Day festivities prior to the 4 p.m. contest.
Courtesy of Athletic Communications, GoBlueRaiders.com
MIAMI - The Middle Tennessee baseball team took a 4-2 lead in the sixth, but four unearned runs in a six-run frame for the FIU Panthers provided the dagger in the Blue Raiders’ 8-4 loss on Friday at FIU Baseball Stadium. The Sun Belt’s leading defensive team had a rare off night, as MT’s four errors in the contest proved costly.
“When we gave FIU a break, they took advantage of it,” head coach Steve Peterson said. “We have to play defense. We have to make those plays and get back to playing our brand of baseball. It happens, but we have to put it behind us. Hopefully we can rebound from this and come back on top tomorrow.”
After a solo shot by Aramis Garcia gave the Panthers a 1-0 lead in the third, the Blue Raiders responded with a three-spot to take the lead in the top of the fifth. Ryan Stephens’ leadoff single and stolen base kick-started the offense. Robert Lawrence dropped down a sac bunt, but an errant throw by FIU starter Eddy Pidermann (8-1) plated Stephens for the equalizer and put Lawrence at second. Ryan Ford took a walk before Justin Guidry smacked a double off the rightfield wall for the go-head run, then Ethan Williams scored Ford with an RBI-groundout for the two-run cushion.
The Panthers cut it to 3-2 in the bottom of the fifth using three consecutive hits, but MT got it back in the sixth thanks to heads up base-running by Johnny Thomas. Thomas singled, stole second, made his way to third on a wild pitch and scored on Stephens’ deep fly to left for the 4-2 advantage.
The wheels fell off in the Panthers’ half of the six, as a pair of MT miscues led to six runs for FIU. After Jabari Henry led off the frame with a double, Paul Mittura (2-1) came on in relief of Hunter Adkins. Mittura gave up a pair of singles sandwiched around two errors, scoring four runs to give FIU the two-run lead. Three more base-hits, including a two RBI-single from Mike Martinez, accounted for the 8-4 Panther lead.
Despite allowing just one earned run on five hits in three innings, Mittura suffered his first loss of the season after the Panthers tagged him for five total runs. Pidermann earned the victory for his six-inning performance, while John Caballero tossed three innings of one-hit ball for the save.
The Blue Raiders look to bounce back Saturday when Johnathan Frebis takes the mound. First pitch is slated for 6 p.m. ET/5 p.m. CT and Dick Palmer will have the call on WMOT, in addition to GoBlueRaiders.com.
Courtesy of Athletic Communications, GoBlueRaiders.com
Junior goes 3-for-5 with a pair of home runs
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - With the Middle Tennessee baseball team trailing 3-0 in the fifth on Sunday afternoon, Ethan Williams belted a two-run home run to get the Blue Raiders back into the game, and six innings later, the junior repeated the feat in walk-off fashion to cap a 5-3 victory over visiting Arkansas State at Reese Smith Jr. Field.
"I was looking fastball, and he threw me one," Williams said. "He had just thrown a curveball in the dirt, and I was pretty confident in sitting on a fastball because I thought I had gotten the timing down on it. It was just a great day to hit. It wasn't just me. We had 16 hits. The whole line-up was swinging the bat pretty well."
"This was the biggest win of the season for us," head coach Steve Peterson said. "We needed it, and I them that if there's more to come, they'll be bigger than this. We talked about must-wins, and we had to have it. It was a huge day."
Williams, a transfer from Columbia State, ended 3-for-5 with four runs batted in, and recorded the second multi-homer game of his career to put an exclamation on an outstanding week for the first baseman.
In Tuesday's win at Tennessee Tech, Williams helped rally the Blue Raiders from a 6-0 deficit with ninth-inning game-tying solo blast. MT went on to win 10-6 in 10 innings.
Six Blue Raiders also recorded two or more hits, helping MT (25-21, 11-10) out-hit the Red Wolves 16-8. Both Trent Miller and Justin Guidry joined Williams with three-hit days of their own.
On the mound, Jonathan Sisco gave up three runs in four innings of work, but Jordan Cooper was able to silence the ASU offense from there on out, allowing just one hit over a career-best 6.2 innings.
"I struggled a bit with my location early," Cooper said. "But I really settled down after that, and it does a great deal for my confidence going forward. I think this also gives our team a lot of confidence. We needed something to turn it around, and we battled to get a win here."
It appeared as if MT was going to get going early, but couldn't push a run across after loading the bases with one out in the opening frame.
ASU (23-19, 12-7 SBC) made the Blue Raiders pay for the missed opportunity two innings later in the third. Michael Faulkner led off with a bunt single and Logan Uxa homered to right to give the Red Wolves the 2-0 advantage.
The Blue Raiders stranded three more before the visitors tallied another score in the fifth. Zach Maggio and Zach George singled to start the frame, and back-to-back deep flyouts allowed the run across.
Guidry helped MT get back on track with a one-out single in the bottom of the frame, setting the stage for Act One of Williams' heroics, which saw the junior send a 2-1 pitch over the wall in right to pull the Blue Raiders within one.
ASU wouldn't have the chance to get back into it, as Cooper was rolling. The junior left-hander had retired eight consecutive before finally conceding his first hit in the eighth. It ultimately proved fruitless for the Red Wolves, as Cooper managed to induce a groundout and strikeout to end the threat.
The offense returned the favor in the bottom of the frame. Johnny Thomas laced a double to center, and a Ryan Ford bunt single coupled with a George fielding error plated Thomas for the equalizer.
Cooper was still untouchable over the next two frames, putting down the side in order in both the ninth and 10th frames before leaving the mound after Stuart Levy reached on a two-out walk in the 11th.
Kooper Kessler and Nathan Foriest both came on in relief to record the final out, with Foriest getting out of a bases-loaded jam thanks to a highlight defensive play at third by Hank LaRue.
Foriest picked up the victory to improve to 2-2 on the season.
Rorex led off the bottom half of the frame with a walk, and Williams capped off his fantastic day two batters later, unloading on a 1-0 pitch and sending towering over the wall in right.
The win was the eighth consecutive for the Blue Raiders on L.D. Agee Optimist Little League Day at Reese Smith Jr. Field. Prior to first pitch, hundreds of youth baseball players from the region were honored with an on-field parade.
MT will look to build on the victory when they continue conference play next week to take on FIU in Miami. The trip is the first for the Blue Raiders to FIU Baseball Stadium since 2008.
Courtesy of Athletic Communications, GoBlueRaiders.com
Blue Raiders set to play again on Saturday at 4 p.m.
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - After spotting visiting Arkansas State a 7-0 lead early on Friday night, Keaton Baker and Cody Tollison combined to retire 15 in a row to close out the game, but it wasn't enough as the Middle Tennessee baseball team fell to the Red Wolves 8-5 at Reese Smith Jr. Field.
Both Baker and Tollison tossed three innings, with Baker allowing a hit and a run while striking out five, and Tollison recorded a perfect seventh, eighth and ninth frame.
"We just didn't get any runs to let Adkins off the hook," head coach Steve Peterson said. "Baker started pounding the strike zone to keep us in the ball game and Tollison was very good. We just needed more timely hitting tonight."
Hunter Adkins saw the first hitter of the game reach third with one out, but was able to get out of the jam with a strikeout and flyout. However, that all changed over the next two innings as the junior gave up five hits and seven runs (one unearned).
For the second straight game, the Blue Raiders (24-20, 10-9 SBC) out-hit their opponent in a loss as six players combined to register eight hits to ASU's six.
Justin Guidry led the way on offense, going 2-for-5 with a pair of solo home runs, coming in back-to-back at-bats in the third and fifth innings.
"I think my hands were coming too far out in our game vs. Vanderbilt, and I spent yesterday working on that," Guidry said. "I kept them inside tonight and got my bat speed a bit quicker, which helped me handle those pitches."
Ethan Williams was the only other Blue Raider to record multiple hits, ending 2-for-4 with a run scored, and Trent Miller was 1-for-2 with a run and a pair of walks.
After putting down the first two hitters of the second inning on six pitches, the ASU offense opened up four four runs on Adkins thanks to a pair of homers from Logan Uxa and Zach Maggio.
The Red Wolves (22-18, 11-6 SBC) kept rolling in the following inning, sending eight to the plate and scoring three times.
MT claimed two back in the bottom of the third after Robert Lawrence led off with a triple to left center, the first three-base hit surrendered by ASU ace Jacob Lee this season. A Ryan Ford sacrifice fly brought home the score, and Guidry followed up with his first homer of the night to cut the deficit to five.
Baker came on for Adkins in the fourth, and the Red Wolves struck once more after Zach George led off with a walk and moved into scoring position on a pair of wild pitches. Claude Johnson singled to score the run, but it was the only time ASU would get to the right-hander as the Cordova, Tenn., native struck out four over the ensuing 2.2 innings.
"The coaches have been preaching to me all year to just go out there with a positive attitude, and that's what I did tonight," Baker said. "It's definitely helped my confidence because this has been a humbling year for me. After this performance, I definitely feel that tonight will help me with the rest of the season."
Miller and Williams led off the bottom of the fourth with a single and a double, and a Hank LaRue sacrifice fly brought the first run home. Ryan Stephens singled to right to move Williams to third, and another sac fly, this time by Robert Lawrence, brought the Blue Raiders within four.
After homering to right earlier in the game, Guidry sent the next one just over the outstretched arm of Uxa in left field in the fifth.
Guidry's two four-baggers were just the third and fourth given up by Lee this season and the first since a loss at Lousiana on March 23.
The Blue Raiders will aim to get back on track on Saturday afternoon at Reese Smith Jr. Field. The world famous Budweiser Clydesdales will be on hand, beginning at 2 p.m., and first pitch is slated for 4 p.m.
Courtesy of Athletic Communications, GoBlueRaiders.com
Festivities include appearance by Budweiser Clydesdales
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – The Blue Raider Athletic Association will hold its annual BRAA Appreciation Day in conjunction with the Middle Tennessee baseball game versus Arkansas State on Saturday, April 28. The Budweiser Clydesdales will be on hand as part of the festivities at Reese Smith Jr. Field.
Festivities begin at 2 p.m. with a cookout outside the stadium. The world famous Clydesdales will also be available for viewing at 2 p.m. with first pitch slated for 4 p.m. BRAA members will also have the opportunity to win prizes throughout the game.
All BRAA members can purchase discounted tickets for $4. Please call Justin Jones at 615-898-5135 to purchase tickets or for more information.
Courtesy of Athletic Communications, GoBlueRaiders.com
Baseball to play at Tennessee Tech on Tuesday and host Vanderbilt on Wednesday
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - The Middle Tennessee baseball team will take a short break from conference action this week with a pair of meetings against in-state foes, beginning with the annual trip to Cookeville to take on former conference rival Tennessee Tech on Tuesday and closing out with Vanderbilt's yearly trip to Reese Smith Jr. Field on Wednesday.
The Blue Raiders (23-18) will be looking to replicate their previous successes against TTU after dropping two out of three at ULM over the weekend. MT is 42-20-1 against the Golden Eagles under the direction of head coach Steve Peterson, a number that improves to 17-4-1 since leaving the Ohio Valley Conference for the Sun Belt in 2001.
The two sides met earlier this season as an eighth inning two-out rally pushed the Blue Raiders ahead for a 3-1 decision at Reese Smith Jr. Field. After giving the Eagles a 1-0 lead in the first, Dain McNabb helped tie things up in the third after leading off with a double and later scoring. Johnny Thomas and Hank LaRue came up big late with back-to-back doubles in the eighth to push home the deciding runs, and the trio of Nick Montgomery, Joey McClung and Paul Mittura tossed six shutout frames in relief to secure the victory.
Last season's game at Bush Stadium in Cookeville also featured a dramatic late MT victory. Thomas and LaRue played a vital role once again, combining to score five runs to lead the Blue and White to a 10-6 victory. With the game tied at 6-6 in the top of the eighth, former Blue Raider and current Atlanta Braves farmhand Will Skinner homered to give MT the lead for good, and Thomas and LaRue accounted for two of the three runs in the following inning to put it out of reach.
Kooper Kessler will get his first career start this time around, and he'll be looking to silence a TTU line-up that is hitting .303 this season. The freshman has made 11 appearances, pitching 12 innings and boasting of a 1-1 record. The Golden Eagles are entering the evening with a 17-22 record overall, but a 12-9 mark at Bush Stadium.
On Wednesday, MT will be looking to break through against Southeastern Conference foe Vanderbilt, who has won six straight meetings since dropping a 5-4 decision to the Blue Raiders in the 2009 NCAA Louisville Regional. MT is 16-34 vs. the Commodores under Peterson.
The Blue Raiders ventured up to Nashville last week for the first of the annual two-game set, but couldn't overcome spotting the Commodores a four run lead in the first inning, eventually losing 5-1. Last season's meeting in Murfreesboro saw then-top-ranked VU struggle with the MT pitching staff before ultimately breaking through with a run-scoring two-out double in the sixth, handing the eventual College World Series participant the 1-0 victory.
Nathan Foriest and his 3.32 ERA will get the start on the mound, just the second of his career. VU is coming into the game with an 18-22 record with just two wins in 13 road games.
The game will also serve as Faculty and Staff Appreciation Day at the ballpark, and the Blue Raider basketball team will be honored as well. The team will be signing autographs from 5:30-6:30, and 2012 Sun Belt Player of the Year LaRon Dendy is slated to toss out the ceremonial first pitch.
Both games are slated to begin at 6 p.m.
Courtesy of Athletic Communications, GoBlueRaiders.com
