Blue Raiders Fall in First Game

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - Martha Davis had two RBI and Corrie Abel increased her team-leading batting average to .373 as the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders (18-20) dropped the opening game of a doubleheader against in-state rival Memphis (22-12) at Blue Raider Field on Wednesday, 11-2.

Blue Raider starter Samantha Floyd (4-6) picked up the loss by giving up three runs and scattering eight hits, while striking out three and walking three, in five innings of action.

Amy Candioto also pitched for MT, giving up two earned runs on five hits and striking out one in a single inning of relief action.

Jenna Kubesch (14-5) got the win for the Tigers, giving up two earned runs on eight hits, while striking out five and walking two, in the complete game effort.

The Tigers got on the board in the 4th inning thanks to a solo homerun by Bridgette McNulty, putting them up 1-0. It was the 11th home run given up by Floyd on the season.

Memphis increased its lead in the top of the 5th inning when Kara Ross drove a ball into the right field gap to score Leandra Hines and give the Tigers a 3-0 lead.

Middle Tennessee scored their only runs of the game in its half of the 5th inning when Martha Davis blasted a ball up the middle, driving in Caitlin McClure and Corrie Abel and cutting the lead to 3-2.

Memphis added eight more runs in the sixth inning and the Blue Raiders were unable to get another run despite a Shelby Stiner double in the bottom of the 6th inning as they picked up their 20th loss on the season.

The NCAA mercy rule came into effect as Middle Tennessee was unable to get within seven runs by the end of the 6th inning.

Abel went 2-for-4 to give her 19 hits in 54 at-bats as she has excelled in the lead off position for the Blue Raiders.

The Blue Raiders wrap up the series against the Tigers at Blue Raider Field on Wednesday at 7 p.m.

Follow the Blue Raiders on Twitter @MTAthletics for continued updates.