Blue Raiders Pick Up Big Victory

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - Corrie Abel hit her first career home run as the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders (26-26, 12-7 SBC) returned to Sun Belt Conference action to split a doubleheader with the Florida Atlantic Owls (32-22, 11-8 SBC) at Blue Raider Field on Saturday.

The Blue Raiders came into the game having lost four of their last five games including a splitting a doubleheader with non-conference foe Lipscomb Bison on Thursday. Whitney Darlington came into the series batting .625 with three home runs and nine RBI in her last five games.

Middle Tennessee managed just one hit against pre-season Sun Belt Conference player of the year Jen Musillo as they dropped a 2-1 decision in the first game of the doubleheader to Florida Atlantic.

The Owls took an early lead in the 1st inning on Mandie Fishback's RBI single to left field. The Blue Raiders only run of the game came when Katie Mielke scored off of an error by FAU third baseman Amy Bukovich.

Florida Atlantic scored the go-ahead run in the fourth inning off a Becky Brandies RBI single to center field. The Blue Raiders only hit of the game came in the 5th inning when Mielke hit a ball off the pitchers glove for a single.

Despite seeing their overall record drop below the .500 mark, Middle Tennessee still boasted an 11-7 mark in the Sun Belt Conference.

The game was highlighted by another signature diving catch by Blue Raider center fielder Martha Davis.

Justine Cerda crushed one of the biggest hits of the season, despite twice coming within one pitch of ending the inning without a run, as the Blue Raiders picked up a 5-1 victory in the second game of the afternoon.

Corrie Abel began the bottom of the 1st inning with the first home run of her career. The solo shot to right field gave MT a 1-0 lead before Darlington scored on an error by the pitcher to double the lead at 2-0.

Abel finished the game going 2-for-2 with one home run, one run scored and one RBI.

Florida Atlantic tied the game at two runs apiece with runs in the 3rd and 4th innings before Cerda won it in the 6th inning with her three RBI double down the left field line. Middle Tennessee took a half-game lead over Florida Atlantic for 2nd place in the Sun Belt Conference. The Troy Trojans currently occupy the first spot.

The Blue Raiders complete the series against FAU on Sunday at Noon. Don't miss the Senior Day activities before the game honoring Blue Raiders of the past and present.

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