Blue Raiders Win Series with Doubleheader Sweep

MONROE, La. - Samantha Floyd allowed no runs and just three hits as the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders (18-19, 7-5 SBC) clinched the series on a doubleheader sweep against the Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks (18-24, 1-8 SBC) at the ULM Softball Complex in Monroe, La. on Saturday, 3-0.

Katie Mielke had all 3 RBI and both Ashley Cline and Shelby Stiner had two hits to lead to the Blue Raider attack.

Floyd (4-5) got the win for the Blue Raiders pitching a shutout and giving up just three hits while striking out two and walking three over 5.2 innings.

Lindsey Vander Lugt also pitched for the Blue Raiders, working the final 1.1 innings and retiring all but one batter. She gave up no runs or hits while walking one.

ULM starter Shanna Swillie (2-3) picked up the loss for the Warhawks, giving up two runs on five hits, while striking out three in 4.2 innings.

Lindsey Rittenhouse and Kandace Causey also pitched for Louisiana-Monroe.

Both teams played to a scoreless tie through the fourth inning as Floyd showed great command by allowing just six batters to get on base.

Middle Tennessee got on the board through a Katie Mielke home run in the top of the 5th inning. Her one-out, two-run shot to left field gave the Blue Raiders a 2-0 lead.

Mielke would again be on hand in the 6th inning to add an insurance run with a single down the left field line, driving in game two's hero Ashley Cline and giving Middle Tennessee a 3-0 lead.

That is all MT would need to pick up their second straight win against the Sun Belt Conference newcomers.

The Blue Raiders return home to hose in-state rival Memphis in a doubleheader on Wednesday. The first game is scheduled for 5 p.m with second beginning at 7 p.m.

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