Preator Hurls Shutout in Lady Raider Split

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. - Middle Tennessee junior hurler Stayc Preator threw shutout in the second game to help lead the Lady Raiders (19-24, 2-8 SBC) to a split with Sun Belt Conference foe Western Kentucky (29-16, 2-4 SBC), losing the first one 3-2 and winning the second game 2-0 Saturday at WKU Softball Field.

The win ends a six game losing streak for the Lady Raiders, and gives Preator her sixth win of the season. She allowed seven hits and struck out five.

Middle Tennessee got on the board in the top of the third inning when a Western Kentucky error allowed shortstop Steffi Silva to score. Silva scored the second run for the Lady Raiders as well, as she came home off a RBI double by Lindsay Azevedo.

Western Kentucky's Sara Alanis hit a two run homer over the left field wall in the bottom of the sixth inning to lead the Toppers to a 3-2 win over the Lady Raiders in the first game. Middle Tennessee was up 2-0 before WKU scored three runs in the sixth.

Lady Raider hurler Jennifer Martinez (12-10) was working on a no-hitter when she hit a batter and walked one in the sixth. Melissa Gomes' sacrifice hit put the Toppers on the board. Martinez finished the game allowing one hit, three runs and striking out four.

Middle Tennessee jumped on the board with a sacrifice fly by Azevedo, which sent home designated player Kristina Hieb in the fifth inning. The other Middle Tennessee came off a solo homerun, in the sixth, by senior Laura Brockman, who knocked her third dinger of the year and the 20th of her career.

Middle Tennessee will finish its series with Western Kentucky on Sunday. The first pitch is set for 1 p.m.

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