Kasser's Seven Innings Leads 6-1 Victory

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - Middle Tennessee's Jeff Kasser worked a career-long seven innings and Derek Phillips had two hits and a run scored in a 6-1 victory over Austin Peay Wednesday night at Reese Smith Field.

The Blue Raiders took advantage of three APSU errors to score four unearned runs in the game. Kasser (2-0) worked seven strong innings, allowing a run on two hits with six strikeouts.

Brett Carroll and Michael McKenry each had a pair of RBIs, while Eric McNamee and Chuck Akers both had two hits for Middle Tennessee. Shane Kemp also scored a pair of runs in the win, giving the Blue Raiders a season sweep of the Governors and four consecutive wins dating to last season.

APSU took an early lead with a run in the second, with Chris Hyde drawing a walk, moving to second on a wild pitch, going to third on a groundout and scoring on a balk by Kasser.

The Blue Raiders scored a run each in the third and fourth to take the lead for good.

McNamee walked, went to second on a bunt from Akers and third on an error. Carroll's slow roller scored the run to tie the contest at one.

In the fourth Kemp drew a leadoff walk, stole second, went to third on a wild pitch and scored on McKenry's first sacrifice fly of the evening for a 2-1 Blue Raiders lead.

Phillips led off the fifth with a double and Carroll followed with a walk. A fielder's choice loaded the bases with one out before a slow roller by Marcus Taylor to Hyde at first base.

The lefthander's throw to the plate was high, allowing two runs to score on the play. McKenry plated the third run of the frame with another sac fly, giving Middle Tennessee a 5-1 advantage.

The Blue Raiders added the final run of the game with three straight singles in the eighth from Jeff Beachum, Phillips and Carroll.

APSU starter Adam Carrico (2-5) took the loss, giving up five runs, one earned, on five hits with seven walks and four strikeouts.

Matt Scott tossed the final two innings for Middle Tennessee, giving up one hit with two strikeouts. Scott induced a doubleplay for the final outs of the game, the third twin-killing of the night turned by the home team.

Middle Tennessee begins a three-game series this weekend at South Alabama, starting Friday at 6 p.m. at Stanky Field. Saturday's 2:30 p.m. contest can be seen on Comcast Sports Southeast-Cable Channel 27 in the Midstate.

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