Blue Raiders Drop First Game of Doubleheader

Murfreesboro, Tenn. - Middle Tennessee (11-14, 2-2) opened their longest homestand of the season with a loss as the Troy Trojans (15-5, 1-0) took the vicoty in the first game of a doubleheader at Blue Raider Field.

Middle Tennessee was looking to build upon one of the greatest series victory during the week over then 15th ranked Louisiana-Lafayette and win their third conference game of the season.

The Blue Raiders took two of three games from the Ragin' Cajuns in Lafayette to become the first ever win a series against the nationally ranked team in Sun Belt Conference play.

Samantha Floyd made just her fifth start and got off to a rough first opening, giving up four hits, four runs and walking one batter in the first inning of play. This was a sign of things to come.

Already having jumped out to 4-0 lead, the Trojans looked to add more runs in the top of the second inning. After giving up a single to Amanda Ragans and a homerun to Heidi Johnson, Floyd was relieved by ace Lindsey Vander Lugt. Her impact was felt immediately. After giving up a single, she struck out one batter and forced the remaining two to ground out to end the inning with Troy leading 6-0.

Vander Lugt finished the game striking out three while allowing two runs and two hits in four innings of action.

It was a tough game offensively as the Blue Raiders did not get their first hit until the third inning when Caitlin McClure hit a single to left center after a Shelby Stiner strikeout. Middle Tennessee would also score their only run of the game later in the inning when Muriel Ledbetter hit a sacrifice fly to deep center field bringing McClure across the plate and cutting the Trojan lead to 6-1.

McClure ended the game as the most productive Blue Raider hitter collecting both of her team's hits and scoring a run.

Troy's offense continued its strong day over the next three innings producing six runs and six hits leaving Middle Tennessee on the losing end of the first game of Saturday's doubleheader, 12-1.

Amy Candioto made her seventh appearance of the season when she came in to pitch the sixth and final inning for the Blue Raiders. Floyd finished the game giving up just six runs and six hits over an inning of action.

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