Blue Raiders Drop Final Game of Kennesaw Classic

KENNESAW, Ga. - Brittney Banania and Whittney Padgett continued their strong starts to their Middle Tennessee careers but the Blue Raiders (1-3, 0-0) could not get it going offensively as they lost 7-1 to host Kennesaw State (4-0, 0-0) in the final game of the Kennesaw State Classic on Saturday evening.

Kellie Head (1-1) made her second career start and picked up the loss for the Blue Raiders. The young pitcher allowed three earned runs on 11 hits and struck out one in the complete game.

Brittany Matthews (3-0) got the win for the Owls, allowing one run on four hits while striking out 13 in seven innings of action.

Kennesaw State took an early lead in the 1st inning off a Jessica Cross homerun to center field.

The game remained with the Owls up by a run until the 5th inning when Jenna Closner nailed a grand slam homerun to straight centerfield to make it 5-0.

Kennesaw State added two more runs in the 6th inning to make it 7-0 before Whittney Padgett belted a two out homerun to deep right field, the first of her career.

Banania was two-for-three to improve her weekend batting average to .417.

Kennesaw State Classic recap

Middle Tennessee 2 Georgetown 1

The Blue Raiders defeated the Hoyas to open up the KSU Classic on Friday morning. The Blue Raiders were led by Freshman Brittney Banania and Sophomore Corrie Abel. It marked the first win for Head Coach Sue Nevar in her first game in charge. Kellie head picked up her first win in her first career start.

Middle Tennessee 0 Ole Miss 4

MT scattered three hits over seven innings and were unable on the board on Friday afternoon. Lindsey Vander Lugt made her season debut in the loss. Ashley Cline, Corrie Abel and Justine Cerda each had a hit to lead the Blue Raiders .

Middle Tennessee 2 Tennessee Tech 8

Tennessee Tech used a big six run 5th inning to defeat the Blue Raiders on Saturday afternoon. MT had a chance to open the scoring in the 2nd inning but could not capitalize on a bases loaded opportunity. Vander Lugt picked up the loss in her second start of the season.

Middle Tennessee 1 Kennesaw State 7

Middle Tennessee never got it going offensively as they were held to two hits on the evening in the 5-0 loss to hosts. Whittney Padgett hit her first career home run in the games final inning. Kellie Head made her second career start and picked up her first career loss. The Blue Raiders finished the KSU Classic with a record of 1-3.

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