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April 12, 2008
Burnett Hits Two-Run Blast in 9-7 Win
Blue Raiders defeat FIU in 10 innings; set to go for sweep on Sunday
MT Media Relations

Freshman Tyler Burnett hit a two-run shot to centerfield in the top of the 10th inning to give the Blue Raiders a 9-7 win over Florida International on Saturday. (MTSU Photo Services) Send this photo to your mobile phone!


MIAMI - Freshman Tyler Burnett hit a two-run shot to centerfield in the top of the 10th inning to give the Blue Raiders a 9-7 win over Florida International on Saturday.

Freshman Michael Adamson came in to pitch the top of the ninth for the Blue Raiders (17-14-1, 8-8) notched the first two outs before junior Brett Smalley came in for the final out. Stanley took the win with his inning of work allowing one hit improving to 3-0 on the season as Smalley took the save, his second of the season.

FIU (12-25, 5-9) forced the extra inning when it tied the game at 7 on a single to centerfield by Ryan Mollica which allowed Chris Altieri, who was a pinch runner, to score from second base.

The tying run scored while Stanley was on the mound but it was credited to Alvis since the runner reached while he was in the game.

"I really felt like the last two days, as coaches we were doing what we are supposed to do, try and help them win the game. We put them in the right situations and just manage the game and let the player execute it or not. I knew how I wanted to use Zach Dean and just all-in-all see things fall into place," head coach Steve Peterson said.

Burnett ended the day 3 for 4 with five RBI, two doubles, a home run and scored two runs.

"I did not think we were going to hit anything out to right field the way the wind was blowing across but Tyler got every bit of hit," Peterson said.

As a team, Middle Tennessee notched 14 hits including five doubles and two home runs. Juniors Rawley Bishop, Taylor Dennis and Grant Box each recorded two hits. Bishop had two RBI, a home run and scored two runs while Box had one RBI and Dennis scored two runs.

"I am glad to see Grant Box swing the bat better. Just all the way around we were able to get hits in the bottom and top of the order. It was a good team win and I was very proud of how we played defensively. It was just a really big win for our ball club," Peterson said.

Junior Jordan Alvis also performed well for Middle Tennessee on the mound as he allowed one run on two hits in five innings of work. Senior Brad Robinson started the game but gave up six runs on seven hits in three innings of work.

Lazano put the first run of the game on the board as he scored on a 4-3 groundball by Castillo giving FIU a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first.

The Blue Raiders tied the game at one in the top of the second as Bishop scored from third on a double by Burnett. Box drove in another run with his single to right field. The Blue Raiders would score three runs on five hits as it took a 3-1 lead.

Castillo drove in another run for the Golden Panthers in the bottom of the third to close the gap to one. Fuentes then tied the game at three with his single up the middle which scored Mollica from second base. Castillo then scored from third on a passed ball by Box to give FIU a 4-3 lead.

FIU extended its lead to three in the bottom of the fourth after scoring two runs on three hits.

With the bases loaded and two outs in the top of the fifth Burnett hit a two-RBI double to cut the Blue Raider deficit to one.

Rawley Bishop hit a two-run shot to left field in the top of the seventh to take back a 7-6 lead for the Blue Raiders.

Middle Tennessee will go for the sweep its three-game series with FIU at 12 p.m. on Sunday April 13.


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