Blue Raiders fall 1-0 in defensive game

MARTIN, Tenn. - Middle Tennessee's pitching gave up just one run but the Blue Raiders (18-25, 9-8) were unable to score as they fell 1-0 to the UT Martin Skyhawks (18-23, 4-8) in the second game of a non-conference doubleheader at Bettye Giles Field on Wednesday evening.

Justine Cerda extended her season-high eight game hitting streak as Middle Tennessee dropped the first game of the doubleheader, 5-1.

Lindsey Vander Lugt (12-15) made her second straight start for the Blue Raiders, giving up one earned run on six hits, while striking out one in the complete game.

Paij Lintz (5-7) got the start and the win for the Skyhawks, giving up just three hits and walking one in 7.0 innings.

Both teams started off slowly as they combined for just two hits in the first three innings of the contest.

Middle Tennessee's best chance to take the lead in the first three frames came in the top of the 3rd inning. Ashley Cline led things off with her team-leading sixth double of the season, but the next three batters did not fair as well. Caitlin McLure lined out to second baseman Greer Long and Corrie Abel flew out to centerfield before Martha Davis grounded out out to the pitcher to end the inning.

The Skyhawks scored the only run of the game in the bottom of the 6th inning. Megan Latimer nailed a hard single to the third base side before being putout on a fielder's choice with Ashley Benbow reaching first base. Long singled to the shortstop before Savannah Roberts hit a ball up the middle, just under the glove of shortstop Brittney Banania. Corrie Abel retrieved the ball and threw a strike to Jessica Ives at home plate, but the ball slipped from her grasp during the play at the plate.

The Blue Raiders were unable to get any runners on base in the final inning as they slumped to their second defeat against the Skyhawks.

Middle Tennessee returns to action as they complete their non-conference slate with a doubleheader against mid-state rival the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles on Wednesday at 4 PM.

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