Blue Raiders fall to Mississippi State 9-8

The Blue Raiders had 14 hits on the night with four extra base hits but left 10 runners on base.

Junior Blake McDade (Ooltewah, Tenn.) led Middle Tennessee through out the night at the plate as he was 4 for 5 with a double, two home runs, four RBI and scored three runs.

Sophomore Bryce Brentz (Knoxville, Tenn.) also performed well as he was 3 for 3 with a double, two RBI and scored two runs as he posted the only other multiple hit night for the Blue Raiders.

"I kind of anticipated a game like this. I think the world of my hitters for staying in the game and keeping it close until the end. We hit a lot of balls hard but just couldn't capitalize throughout the game," Peterson said.

Sophomore Nick Montgomery (San Marcus, Texas) received the start on the mound but left in the third inning after allowing one run on two hits.

The Blue Raiders used five pitchers on the night with freshman Justin Guidry (Mount Juliet, Tenn.) having the longest outing as he allowed two runs on four hits in three innings of work.

Sophomore Marsall Mears (Spanish Fort. Ala.) took the loss after allowing two runs on two hits in 1.1 innings of work.

"The bullpen did the best it could but couldn't corral Mississippi State. I kept thinking we could do something if we kept it close and then once we got the lead just couldn't hold on," Peterson said.

MSU had 12 hits on the night with five extra base hits with Ryan Collins leading the way as he was 5 for 5 with a home run, double, two RBI and scored three runs.

MSU scored the first runs of the game in the bottom of the third as Powers doubled brining in runners from second and third. Two batters later, Sneed hit a three-run shot to left center breaking the game open for the Bulldogs 5-0.

Middle Tennessee responded in the fourth scoring one run on three hits to cut the lead to four runs.

The Blue Raiders added another run in the fifth after Brentz scored from second on a single to left by Bishop.

With two outs and the leadoff batters at first and second McDade it a shot to right field tying the game at 5 in the seventh inning.

A sacrifice fly by Adkins in the bottom of the seventh allowed a runner to score from third breaking the tie and putting the Bulldogs back up by one. Then DeLoach singled to drive in another run as MSU took a 7-5 lead off three hits in the inning.

With the bases loaded and one out in the eighth, Brentz hit a single to right on the first pitch to drive in two runs and knot the score at 7.

The Bulldogs quickly responded in the bottom of the inning as Collins hit a two-run shot to right field with two outs to get back on top 9-7.

McDade led off the ninth with a solo shot to centerfield on the first pitch by Brownlee.

The Blue Raiders will be back in action on Friday, April 24 at 6:30 p.m. when it begins a three-game series at South Alabama in Mobile, Ala. All games during the weekend may be heard on 88.3 FM in Murfreesboro or on the internet as linked on goblueraiders.com.

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