Blue Raider Softball Falls to Western Kentucky 6-3

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Middle Tennessee softball (6-19) lost to Western Kentucky (15-12) 6-3 in the final day of action at the Louisville Courtyard by Marriott Classic Saturday at Cardinal Park.

Western Kentucky jumped out to an early lead on Middle Tennessee scoring four runs in the first inning. The Toppers opened the inning with back-to-back singles and scored their first run on a sacrifice fly by Shelly Floyd. RBI singles by Sam Young and Adrienne Lathrop plated Western Kentucky's second and third runs of the inning. Western Kentucky scored its fourth run on an error by the Blue Raiders. In the bottom of the fourth, the Toppers added their fifth run of the game.

Middle Tennessee was threatening to score in the top of the fifth inning. Melissa Weiland opened the inning with a single to right field. After Weiland was replaced by pinch runner Michelle Wilkes, who advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Candis Littrell, Jennifer Grybash hit her second single of the game to place runners on first and second. With two outs Leah Grothause ground out to the pitcher for the third out of the inning.

Trish White put the Blue Raiders on the scoreboard in the top of the sixth inning. With two outs and Brandi Boehner on first, after drawing a walk, White launched the first homerun of her career, sending it over the left field wall for two RBI.

After giving up a run in the bottom of the sixth, Middle Tennessee got it back in the top of the seventh. With Grothause on second and two outs, Jennifer Dorais took a 2-2 pitch to left field to score Grothause for the Blue Raiders third run of the game.

Dorais takes the loss on the mound, falling to 0-3 on the season. White tossed three innings of relief in just her second appearance this year.

Middle Tennessee returns to action on Thursday when the Blue Raiders travel to Johnson City, Tennessee to take on East Tennessee State. Game time is set for 1 p.m. Central.

Follow the Blue Raiders on Twitter @MTAthletics for continued updates.