Blue Raider starter Vander Lugt (18-18) picked up the loss, giving up two runs on six hits, while striking out three and walking one, in the complete game effort.

Musillo (19-10) got the victory for the Owls, giving up no runs and four hits, while striking out six and walking two, in the complete game.

The Blue Raiders split a doubleheader with the Owls on Saturday and entered today's contest with a half-game lead over FAU for second place in the Sun Belt Conference. The winner would receive the decisive tie-breaker advantage and would be favorites to hold onto the second place position. They also would have outside shot of ending up at the top of the standings by the end of the season.

Florida Atlantic took a 1-0 lead in the 4th inning when third baseman Amy Bukovich drove an RBI single through the right side, scoring Mandie Fishback.

Middle Tennessee's best chance came in bottom of the inning when Senior Shelby Stiner doubled to gap in right field before stealing third base to put a runner in scoring position.

Musillo helped her own cause by doubling the MT deficit when she lined an RBI double down the left field line, plating Fishback. The Blue Raiders managed just two hits against the Sun Belt Conference pre-season pitcher of the year in route to the 2-0 defeat.

The loss drops the Blue Raiders to fourth in the Sun Belt Conference overall standings.

GoBlueRaiders.com would like to extend a special thanks to Seniors Trish White, Shelby Stiner, Muriel Ledbetter and Melissa Weiland for their magnificent contributions, both athletically and academically, to the Middle Tennessee State University community. You will be missed by all.

The Blue Raiders wrap up Sun Belt Conference regular season play with a doubleheader against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers in Bowling Green, Ky. on Saturday. The first game is scheduled for 1 p.m.

The contest will be broadcasted online at GoBlueRaiders.com by Russell Luna.

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