Blue Raiders Drop Two at Louisville Tournament

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Middle Tennessee softball (6-18) fell to Louisville (16-10) 14-0 and No. 1 Michigan (29-1) 17-1 Friday at the Courtyard by Marriott Classic at Cardinal Park.

In game one of the tournament, Middle Tennessee faced host Louisville, falling 14-0 in five innings. The Blue Raiders are severely depleted in the pitching ranks, as freshman hurler Ashley Katinas has been sidelined by an injury.

Jennifer Dorais, who has seen action in two previous games, started the game on the mound against Louisville. Louisville took advantage of Middle Tennessee pitching by scoring runs in all five innings. Dorais went three innings in the game before being replaced by Trish White, who saw her first action of the season in the pitching circle.

Middle Tennessee did put together eight hits in the game. The Blue Raiders had runners in scoring position twice, but failed to plate a runner. Liz Davis led the squad going 2-for-3 and one double.

After giving up four runs in the first inning to Michigan, the Blue Raiders struck back with a run of their own. Middle Tennessee opened the bottom of the first with back-to-back singles by Jennifer Grybash and Trish White. Davis reached on a fielder's choice as Grybash moved to third and White was out on the play.

The Blue Raiders scored on an RBI single by Dorais who plated Grybash. After freshman Brandi Boehner's single loaded the bases, Middle Tennessee had a chance to do more damage with one out and bases loaded but couldn't capitalize.

The three-run differential was the closest the Blue Raiders would get as Michigan exploded in the preceding innings. The Wolverines plated nine runs in the second, two in the third, one in the fourth and one in the fifth.

In the game, seven of the nine Blue Raider batters picked up at least one hit against Michigan. Davis also knocked an extra base hit for Middle Tennessee as she hit a double in the second inning. Dorais took the loss in both games and falls to 0-2 on the season.

Middle Tennessee will play Western Kentucky on Saturday in the final game of the tournament. The first pitch is set for 9 a.m. Central.

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