Blue Raiders split doubleheader

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - Middle Tennessee picked up a split in its doubleheader with Florida International on Saturday afternoon losing the first game 5-2 but rebounded to win game two 6-3.

The Blue Raiders (23-8, 12-5) had 15 hits two for extra bases in the second game after posting just six hits non for extra bases in the first.

Senior Nathan Hines led Middle Tennessee at the plate as he went 3 for 4 with a home run, two RBI and scored three runs to help guide the team in the win.

"I was glad we were able to bounce back in the second game. I think Kenny did a great job giving us seven really good innings. Hines had the big RBI hits for us and it was good to see Guidry come into the second game and play well," head coach Steve Peterson.

Freshman Justin Guidry also added assistance to the offense as he was 4 for 5. Junior Blake McDade and senior Rawley Bishop combine for five hits on the day with Bishop hitting a double.

Junior Kenneth Roberts picked up the win as he allowed three runs on nine hits while junior Coty Woods picked up his seventh save after allowing no runs on two hits in two innings of work.

FIU got on the board first in the top of the second and would score just two more times in the game, once in the fifth and the sixth.

The Blue Raiders tied the game in the bottom of the second after a single by McDade scored Brentz from second. The Blue Raiders took the lead on an error by FIU's shortstop. Darlington hit a single to short to extend the Middle Tennessee lead to two. Middle Tennessee scored three runs on four hits taking a 3-1 lead.

Then a two-run home run by Hines put Middle Tennessee, 5-2 and it was the second straight extra base hit by the Blue Raiders as Bishop reached on a double.

In the first game, FIU took a 2-0 lead in the second after a single to centerfield by Mollica.

The Blue Raiders scored one run in the third and later tied the game at 2 in the fourth but it was not enough in the 5-2 loss.

Middle Tennessee had six hits on the day while the Golden Panthers had eight. There were just three extra base hits in the game all of them were hit by FIU.

The Blue Raiders will be back in action on Sunday, April 12 at 12 p.m. for the final game of its series with FIU.

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