Warren's Three Hits Leads 8-7 Win

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - Middle Tennessee built a three-run lead only to see it evaporate, but Adam Warren's two-run double in the seventh was the game-winner in an 8-6 victory over New Orleans Sunday afternoon at Reese Smith Field.

The Blue Raiders (13-13, 2-3 Sun Belt) took a 5-2 lead with a four-run fourth inning, but the visiting Privateers (10-20, 6-3) scored twice in the sixth and twice more in the seventh to take a 6-5 lead.

But Middle Tennessee retook the lead in the bottom of the seventh, thanks to a two-run double from Warren and another RBI single, this one from Alex Watson.

The fourth Blue Raider hurler of the game, Allan Woodward (1-1), did the rest, striking out four in 2.2 innings and giving up one run to give Middle Tennessee its only win in the three-game series.

Blue Raider starter Tyler Copeland allowed four runs on nine hits in 5.1 innings and left with the lead, but once again the bullpen was unable to hold the lead.

Warren was 2-for-4 with two doubles and three RBIs, capping a 7-for-12 series for the sophomore after collecting two hits on Friday and three more on Saturday. Todd Martin also had a great three games, collecting seven hits in nine at-bats after going 3-for-3 with two runs scored on Sunday.

Eric McNamee, Nate Jaggers, Jeff Beachum and Watson all had a pair of hits in the 14-hit attack. Watson drove in two runs and Beachum scored twice in the victory.

The Privateers manufactured one run in the first and added another to take an early lead.

Josh Jones led off with a single, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt from Brandon Bowser, stole third and scored on a sacrifice fly to center by Mike Constantino. Paul Smyth then hit a towering home run to leftcenter to give UNO a 2-0 advantage.

The Blue Raiders produced an unearned run in the second after a leadoff walk to Marcus Taylor. He stole second, went to third on a groundout from Warren and scored on a passed ball.

Middle Tennessee took the lead with a four-run fourth inning, all starting with a leadoff double by Martin. Beachum then bunted his way on before Warren's run-scoring double down the leftfield line.

Beachum scored on a single to left by Watson and Josh Archer plated another run with a fielder's choice. McNamee then doubled home Archer for a 5-2 Blue Raiders lead.

The Privateers added a pair of runs in the sixth after a leadoff single by Smyth and a double off the wall in centerfield from Alex Webster. T.J. Baxter's single plated Smyth and a fielder's choice by Tony Gonzalez scored Webster, though the call at first got an argument from Blue Raider head coach Steve Peterson.

UNO took the lead with two more runs in the seventh, with the inning starting with a throwing error by third baseman Jaggers. Bowser was then hit by a pitch. Smyth drove in both runners with a double to right for a 6-5 Privateers edge.

But the Blue Raiders came right back to take the lead with three runs on four hits, starting with one-out singles to center from Martin and Beachum. Warren then delivered a two-out, two-run double to leftcenter and Watson followed with an RBI single to right for an 8-6 advantage.

The Privateers scored once in the ninth when Smyth collected his third hit of the game with one out. He went to second and third on wild pitches and scored on a throwing error. Baxter walked with two outs against Woodward, but the righthander induced pinch-hitter Mike Epping into a groundout to end the contest.

Jeff Zschiedrich (0-1), the second of three UNO hurlers, suffered the loss, giving up two runs on two hits in one-plus innings. Privateer starter Michael Jones allowed five runs on nine hits in 5.1 innings.

Middle Tennessee hosts Austin Peay Tuesday and Belmont Wednesday, both at 7 p.m.

GAME NOTES
Tyler Copeland made his seventh career start and first against a Sun Belt foe ... Alex Watson made his second start of the year behind the plate and first since March 6 against Southeastern Louisiana ... Nate Jaggers extended his hitting streak to 10 games with a single in the first.

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