Blue Raider Softball Drops Two to North Texas

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - Middle Tennessee softball (6-27, 0-6 SBC) drew close to an elusive win against North Texas (9-24, 2-4) but both games slipped through the Blue Raider's fingers as the squad lost 10-6 and 2-0 Saturday at Blue Raider Field.

Both teams were riding losing streaks as North Texas had dropped nine in a row and Middle Tennessee had a streak of 10. The Mean Green ended their streak in high fashion in the first game, with 10 runs and four homeruns off junior pitcher Jennifer Dorais.

North Texas scored three runs to start game one. After getting the first out of the game and then giving up a single to Christen Jonse, Dorais gave up three consecutive doubles to put the Mean Green on the board.

Middle Tennessee got back one run in the bottom of the first inning. Senior Jennifer Grybash hit a lead off single and then advanced to second on a stolen base. A sacrifice bunt by Trish White placed Grybash on third and she scored on a fielder's choice.

Middle Tennessee pulled within one run when the Blue Raiders scored a second run in the third inning. It was Grybash who struck again as she hit a one out double and advanced to third when White singled. Grybash again scored for the Blue Raiders on a fielder's choice.

North Texas extended its lead in the top of the fourth inning with two runs to lead the game 5-2. The Blue Raiders answered again with a run in the bottom of the fourth when sophomore Melissa Weiland hit her fourth homerun of the season to pull Middle Tennessee within two 5-3.

The Mean Green assured them selves a win in the sixth inning when North Texas exploded for five runs. It would prove to be just enough runs to halt the team's losing streak.

Middle Tennessee did attempt a comeback in the bottom of the seventh inning. A one out single by Kristine Reed placed a runner on the bag for the Blue Raiders and Grybash's single had runners at first and second for White who drew a walk to load the bases. After Dorais popped up to the first baseman for the second out of the inning, senior Liz Davis hit an RBI single to score Reed for the first run of the inning. Freshman catcher Brandi Boehner accounted for the second and third runs of the inning as her two RBI double scored Grybash and White. The Blue Raider rally ended when Weiland ground out to third to end the game.

Dorais took the loss in the game and falls to 0-7 on the season.

White got the call to the mound in the second game. The sophomore from Mt. Juliet, Tenn. had her best game of the season in the pitching circle, even though she took the loss. White tossed three scoreless innings before giving up two runs that would be the eventual game winner. She also had eight strikeouts in the contest, a career high. White fell to 0-3 on the season with the loss.

Middle Tennessee only had a runner in scoring position in game two, when Weiland hit a double in the bottom of the seventh inning. Grybash and White were the only players in game two with multiple hits as they each had two.

The Blue Raiders will try and avoid the sweep when the team hosts North Texas on Sunday at Blue Raider Field. The first pitch is set for 10 a.m.

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