Edwards Guides Blue Raiders in 7-3 Win

"Chad Edwards has pitched better and better for us down the stretch. It doesn't surprise me at all that he struggled at first like all of our pitchers do. I think Brett Smalley has it figured out on how he has to pitch better than anyone on our staff. He has become very patient and knows how to change speeds," head coach Steve Peterson said.

Defensively, the Blue Raiders turned four double plays including a 3-6-1 double play to end the game.

"We made some big defensive plays. Henry hit a rocket at the second baseman we turned into two and then he hit another shot that ended up as a double play. We got some breaks that probably helped us defensively and the fact the wind was blowing in today. We played a very good ballgame," Peterson said.

Senior Zach Barrett, junior Taylor Dennis and freshman Tyler Burnett each had two hits in the game to lead Middle Tennessee at the plate. As a team, the Blue Raiders notched 11 hits with two doubles and left just five runners on base.

Michael Precise had a two-RBI single with two outs in the top of the first to give the Trojans an early 2-0 lead.

Middle Tennessee tied the game at 2-2 on a single by Burnett in the bottom of the second.

Brentz broke the tie in the third with his single to centerfield bringing in Barrett from second and putting the Blue Raiders up, 3-2. Nathan Hines then hit a sacrifice fly to left field allowing Bishop to score from third and put Middle Tennessee up by two runs.

Neither team would score for two more innings until Bryan Miller hit a solo shot to left in the beginning of the sixth to cut the Blue Raider lead to one.

Barrett hit a two-out two-RBI single to right field extending the lead to three for Middle Tennessee.

The Blue Raiders will be back in action on Monday, May 5 at 4:30 p.m. for their fourth game in as many days when they travel to Clarksville, Tenn., to face Austin Peay in a rescheduled game from earlier in the season.