Blue Raiders Drop Heartbreaker

Nashville, Tenn. - Whitney Darlington was 3-for-3 but her team gave up two runs in the bottom of the 8th inning as the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders (24-24, 11-6 SBC) fell in extra innings to the Tennessee State Tigers (32-20, 9-12 OVC) at Tiger Field in Nashville, Tenn. on Wednesday, 5-4.

The Blue Raiders were looking to rebound from a loss to Austin Peay last Thursday which saw their season best winning streak snapped at four games. After taking the lead in the top of 7th inning through a three run home run by Justine Cerda, the Blue Raiders gave up two runs in the bottom of the inning to lose the game 4-3.

Blue Raider starter Lindsey Vander Lugt (17-16) picked up the complete game loss, giving up two earned runs on eight hits, while striking out two, over 7.2 innings.

Amanda Vaught (15-8) got the win for the Tigers, giving up two earned runs on two hits, while striking out two and walking three, over 4.0 innings in the relief appearance.

Middle Tennessee took an early 1-0 lead in the second inning when Cerda scored on an error by Tiger first baseman Chelsea Brown.

The score remained in the away team's favor until the 4th inning when Tennessee State scored three runs on four hits to take a 3-1 lead.

The Blue Raiders came into 5th inning with the lead remaining the same. However, they would not leave the inning with the score unchanged. Whitney Darlington hit her second triple of the season down the right field line, scoring Caitlin McLure. Shelby Stiner drove in Darlington for her 14th RBI of the season, tying the game 3-3.

MT looked to have pulled out another dramatic victory in the closing innings when they took their second lead of the game in the top of the 8th inning. Cerda gave the Blue Raiders a 4-3 lead through a double to left center field, plating Stiner.

The Tigers scored two runs in the bottom of the inning to steal the game and drop the Blue Raiders to their second straight loss.

Middle Tennessee returns to action in a doubleheader on Thursday at the Lipscomb Bison in Nashville, Tenn. The first game is scheduled to start at 4.pm.

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