Blue Raiders rout Memphis 18-4

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - After having two weekend games cancelled due to weather the Blue Raiders came out strong on Tuesday taking a decisive 18-4 win over Memphis.

Middle Tennessee had 24 hits on the night with just three extra base hits while holding the Tigers to just seven hits on the night.

The Blue Raiders broke the game open in the second inning scoring four runs on five hits. Middle Tennessee did not stop there scoring seven runs in the third inning which included a three-run home run by Grant Box.

The Blue Raiders scattered seven runs over the next four innings which kept them ahead of Memphis who scored all four of its runs after the sixth inning.

"We played Friday and lost and then all we did was put the tarp on and off and work on the field. We got here this morning and the third base side was just solid ice and we had to work very hard to get the field ready. I didn't know what to expect when we came to the field today," head coach Steve Peterson said.

Leading Middle Tennessee at the plate were junior Drew Robertson and sophomore Justin Miller who each went 4 for 4 with 4 RBI and scored two runs. Also contributing to the offense was senior Grant Box who went 2 for 4 with four RBI and a home run.

"We swung the bats great and played good defense. Kenny Roberts played well and then Nick came into the game in relief and I told him what I needed him to do and he did it. We got so many hits in the holes and then Grant got the home run which was huge," Peterson said.

On the mound, junior Kenneth Roberts took the win as he worked three innings, which were designated pre-game, allowing no runs and just one hit. Sophomore Nick Montgomery worked three innings in relief allowing one run on three hits.

The Blue Raiders will conclude the two-game series with Memphis on Wednesday, March 4 at 3 p.m. at Reese Smith Field.

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