Junior Jordan Alvis received his first win of the season as he allowed three runs on two hits in five innings of work. Junior Chad Coley and senior Langdon Stanley each pitched two scoreless innings to preserve the win for the Blue Raiders (2-0).

"Jordan Alvis had a very solid start. Going into the fifth inning he was in good shape, his pitch count was in good shape, he didn't throw really well but what I liked was that he let his defense help him recover. I thought he had a good quality start just like we did on Friday. Chad Coley came in and was solid. Our bullpen was solid and had a very good afternoon," head coach Steve Peterson said.

Middle Tennessee had 18 hits, with four doubles, while holding the Gamecocks (0-2) to just three hits in the game.

Junior Rawley Bishop started the scoring early for Middle Tennessee as he doubled with two outs to bring in senior Zach Barrett from first, who singled. Then freshman Bryce Brentz doubled, making it back-to-back doubles, scoring Bishop and giving the Blue Raiders a 2-0 lead.

Middle Tennessee broke open the game in the second inning as it scored four runs on four hits. Junior Taylor Dennis, who reached on an error scored from third on a single by sophomore Drew Robertson. Junior Nathan Hines hit another double for the Blue Raiders which brought in sophomore Myles Ervin from third, who doubled.

Middle Tennessee continued the scoring on a single by Barrett which brought in Robertson and then sophomore Blake McDade grounded out which scored Hines from third to round out the scoring.

Hines ended the day 3 for 5 with two RBI and scored two runs. Barrett also led the Blue Raiders in hits as he was 3 for 6 with one RBI and scored two runs. Sophomore Dillion Heath, who did not play on Friday stepped in to play left field, added to Middle Tennessee's offense with three hits and one RBI of his own.

Bishop had two RBI as he went 2 for 3 on the day while McDade was 2 for 4.

"Offensively we had very timely hitting. Dillon has been swinging the bat well as has as Bryce and it is a good competition right there. Blake swung the ball well and Rawley had a couple of hits too. Overall we had a good offensive day and have a chance to get the sweep tomorrow," Peterson said.

The Blue Raiders continued the momentum into the third scoring one run on a single by Hines. Hines' hit brought in Dennis who had a base on balls to reach, 7-0 MT.

Dennis singled in the fourth which brought in McDade from third, who singled to begin the inning. Then in the fifth Middle Tennessee added two more runs on four hits. Hines and Barrett each singled and then scored on fly balls to right field by Bishop and Brentz.

JSU scored three runs in the fifth after an error by Bishop put runners at second and third. The first run scored on Bishop's error while the second run scored on a fly out to right field. The Gamecocks scored their final run of the inning on a groundball to the shortstop, 10-3 MT.

In the seventh, the Blue Raiders added on run after Heath singled which scored Hudson, who was hit by a pitch, from second.

Middle Tennessee will be back in action on Sunday, Feb. 24 at 1 p.m. as it goes for the sweep in the final game of its weekend series with Jacksonville State.

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