Martinez Throws Perfect Game in Sun Belt Semi-Finals

MIAMI, Fla. - Jennifer Martinez (16-13) threw a perfect game no-hitter to help lead number four seed Middle Tennessee (27-29) to a 1-0 win over number three seed Florida International University (39-34), and a berth in the championship game against Louisiana-Lafayette, at the Sun Belt Conference Softball Championships on Friday.

Freshman Dani DeCamino got the run Martinez needed to ice the game in the bottom of the seventh inning as she hit a rocket over the centerfield wall for Lady Raider win. It appeared Martinez would help herself as she was the first to bat in the seventh, but her shot to right field was caught at the warning track by FIU's Kelly Nicosia.

The no-hitter is the second of Martinez's career but it is the first perfect game for the senior from Fairfield, California. Earlier in the game Martinez hit another milestone as she went over 200 strikeouts, she sits at 202 for the season, for the third time in her four- year career as a Lady Raider.

In the first game of the day, for Middle Tennessee, the Lady Raiders defeated New Mexico State 4-1 for the sixth straight time in a row. Junior hurler Stayc Preator (10-11) put together another brilliant performance as she went six innings allowing one run and striking out eight. Senior Amanda Kendall came into the game in the seventh and picked up her first save of the year.

Middle Tennessee put the game out of question early, as the Lady Raiders scored three runs in the top of the second inning. The Lady Raiders added one more run in the third inning.

The Lady Raiders will face number one seed Louisiana-Lafayette for the second time in the tournament in the championship game on Saturday, which begins at 12:30 p.m. Middle Tennessee will need to win two games to take the Sun Belt Conference title.

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