Blue Raiders Complete Sweep with 11-3 Demolition of Austin Peay

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - Martha Davis crushed two home runs and the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders (10-16, 3-5) continued their offensive prowess as they completed the sweep over the Austin Peay Lady Govs (4-19, 1-5) with a 11-3 win in the second game of a doubleheader at Blue Raider Field on Wednesday evening.

Caitlin McLure powered the Blue Raiders to a 8-2 win in the first game of the doubleheader earlier on Wednesday. The Sophomore went 4-for-4 with three runs scored and a RBI to lead the MT offensive attack.

Lindsey Vander Lugt (7-9) picked up the win for the Blue Raiders in the relief appearance. The lefty hurled a shutout and scattered three hits, while striking out two in 2.2 innings.

Kellie Head got the start and gave up three runs on four hits in 3.1 innings pitched.

Whittney Padgett opened the 2nd inning with a triple down down the right field line before Justine Cerda's sacrifice fly to deep right field pushed Middle Tennessee out in front 1-0.

Austin Peay scored three runs in the 4th inning to take a 3-1 lead. Ashley Alverson, Krista Henke and Meagan Williams had RBI hits for the Lady Govs.

Middle Tennessee's defensive effort was highlighted by Padgett's spectacular play at third base which she rushed forward to field a slow rolling ball and fired a throw to first base across her body for the second out of the 5th inning.

The Blue Raiders pulled a run back in the bottom of the 5th inning to make it 3-2. Darlington began the inning by reaching on a fielding error by Lady Govs shortstop Brittany Williams.

Justine Cerda singled to center field before Darlington advanced to third base when pinch hitter Jessica Ives flew out to deep center. Darlington scored on a wild pitch by Austin Peay pitcher Williams to cut the APSU lead to one run.

Darlington and Cerda went a combined 4-for-5 with five run scored and two RBI.

Middle Tennessee smashed four runs by the Lady Govs in the 5th inning to take a 6-3 lead. Ashley Cline started things off with a single to left field before advancing to second base off a throwing error by Lady Govs catcher Daniella Hooper.

Abel lined a RBI single to right field, driving in Cline tie the game at three runs apiece. After McLure was thrown out trying to score following a wild pitch, Martha Davis nailed a two-run homerun to left center field.

Darlington tripled to left field and was plated by Cerda's sacrifice fly down the line in right field to score the final run of the inning.

The Blue Raiders increased their lead to 11-3 courtesy of Davis' second two-run blast of the game and a three-run homerun by Padgett to force the game to end on run rule.

Davis finished the game going 2-for-4 with two home runs, 4 RBI and two runs scored. She moved into fifth place all-time in Middle Tennessee history for home runs.

Middle Tennessee returns to Sun Belt Conference play at Blue Raider Field as they begin their series again the Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks on Saturday at 1 PM.

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