Blue Raiders Take Second Game 5-3

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - Jessica Ives smashed a three-run homerun and Kellie Head pitched stronger as the game went on as the the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders (15-19, 7-7) won 5-3 over the Southeast Missouri Redhawks (18-19, 7-7) in the second game of a doubleheader at Southeast Softball Complex on Wednesday evening.

Kellie Head (5-7) picked up the start and win for the Blue Raiders. The Freshman gave up three runs on seven hits and walked two in the complete game. The righty threw 7.0 innings in the strong outing.

Starter Whitney Dupuis (4-7) got the loss for the Redhawks. The righty gave up four runs and nine hits, while striking out two and walking one, in 3.2 innings.

Elaine Fisher also pitched for Southeast Missouri. The winner from the first game gave up one run on three hits, while striking out three and walking one, in 3.0 innings of relief action.

The home team staked out to an early 1-0 lead when Megan McDonald hit a solo homerun to left field.

The Redhawks doubled their lead in the next inning off another long ball, this time a Lauren Bradley solo shot to right field.

The Blue Raiders cut the lead to 2-1 in the top of the 3rd inning. Caitlin McLure led off with a double to deep left field and Ashley Cline brought her home with a hard RBI single up the middle to pull MT within a single run.

Middle Tennessee used the long ball to their advantage in the 4th inning. Whitney Darlington singled to center field and Martha Davis knocked a single through the left side to begin the inning, bringing up Jessica Ives.

The Sophomore responded with a towering drive down the left field line that banked off the top of the foul pole for a three-run homerun, moving the Blue Raiders ahead 4-2.

After the Redhawks cut the lead to 4-3 in the bottom of the 5th inning, Middle Tennessee responded in the next frame with a score of their own. Caitlin McLure reached after her hard liner to second base was bobbled by Allie Borowiak and Ashley Cline nailed a bending triple to center field, driving in McLure to make the game 5-3 in favor of the Blue Raiders.

Middle Tennessee began the game ranked 13th in the nation in triples per game, the highest-ever ranking for that category in school history.

Kellie Head allowed just one hit over the final two innings as the Blue Raiders rebounded from their loss in the first game of the doubleheader improve to 15 wins on the season

Middle Tennessee returns to action against the Chattanooga Lady Mocs in a doubleheader on Thursday at 4 PM.

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