Blue Raiders Lose Second Game of KSU Classic

KENNESAW, Ga. - Middle Tennessee made several stellar defensive plays but the Blue Raiders (1-2, 0-0) gave up six runs in the 5th inning en route to a 8-2 defeat to the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles (1-3, 0-0) at the Kennesaw State Classic on Saturday afternoon.

Lindsey Vander Lugt (0-2) picked up the loss in 4.2 innings of action for the Blue Raiders. The sophomore allowed seven runs on 11 hits with two strikeouts and one walk.

Kellie Head also pitched for Middle Tennessee, allowing one run on one hit in 2.1 innings.

Tennessee Tech's Maddi Schmissrauter (1-1) worked 5.2 innings for the victory, allowing two runs on seven hits while striking out one and walking two.

After managing just one hit in the first two innings, the Blue Raiders were unlucky not to put any runs on the board in the 3rd inning. Justine Cerda singled through the left side before both Caitlin McLure and Brittney Banania showed their speed in stretching sacrifice bunts into singles. The Blue Raiders were unable to capitalize with the bases loaded as the teams went into the 4th inning scoreless.

The Golden Eagles took a 1-0 lead in the 4th when Lacie Coquerille singled to center field with the bases loaded. Corrie Abel's incredible throw from centerfield to catcher Katie Mielke on the play ended the inning and saved any more runs from crossing the plate.

Vander Lugt started the 5th inning by allowing a single to right field before striking out Landry Moore looking. Anna Zdroik doubled down the right field line before Beth Boden struck a two RBI double just over the head of leftfielder Martha Davis. The Golden Eagles would drive in four more runs before the inning came to a close.

Tennessee Tech added another run in the 6th inning when Beth Boden homered off reliever Head to stretch their lead to 8-0.

Middle Tennessee pulled two runs back in their half of the 6th inning. Whitney Darlington's hard shot deflected off the glove of the third baseman and into foul territory down the line, driving in Abel. Whittney Padgett doubled off the next pitch, driving in Darlington and cutting the Tennessee Tech lead to 8-2.

McLure and Abel led the Blue Raiders with two hits apiece.

The Blue Raiders square off against hosts Kennesaw State in the final game of the Kennesaw State Classic at 6 PM CT.

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