MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - Senior Rawley Bishop and juniors Blake McDade and Justin Jones each hit a home run as the Blue Raiders defeated Missouri State 12-6 on Saturday afternoon.
Bishop started things off with his solo home run to begin the second inning and then Jones hit his solo shot to straightaway centerfield to put the Blue Raiders up 2-0.
"I told the team before the game that we really have to play defense. We knew it was going to be tough and the weather was going to deteriorate throughout the day. We had to really treat defense special because pop-ups were going to be interesting because of the wind," head coach Steve Peterson said.
In the third inning, the Blue Raiders scored six runs on five hits taking an 8-0 lead. McDade, senior Nathan Hines and junior Zach Hudson all had RBI hits in the inning.
Missouri State attempted a comeback scoring four runs in the fourth including an RBI double by Chris Playter.
The Blue Raiders scored three runs in the fourth and one in the sixth while allowing good defense to keep them ahead.
McDade ended the game 2 for 4 with a home run, four RBI and scored three runs while Bishop was 1 for 3 with one RBI and three runs scored.
"Blake and Justin hit their home runs at the right time because later in the game it would have been held up. I think our defense won the game because Missouri State swung the bat very good and aggressive," Peterson said. "It feels good to win the series and be in position to sweep the series."
As a team, the Blue Raiders posted 13 hits with three doubles, junior Drew Robertson had two, and three home runs.
Junior Kenneth Roberts took the win on the mound as he allowed four runs on five hits in five innings of work. Senior Brett Smalley and junior Chad Edwards worked in relief combining for two runs on six hits in four innings of work.
"Kenny came out in the fourth and just didn't look sharp. But he came back, got a big strikeout and then game back strong in the fifth to get it in the book and take the win," Peterson said. "We scored runs to support the pitcher and in the one inning scored all with two outs. It was very impressive to see us move runners and then get big hits."
The Blue Raiders will go for the sweep of the series on Sunday, Feb. 22 at 1 p.m. at Reese Smith Field. Live stats and audio will be available on goblueraiders.com.
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