Softball Splits with North Texas to Avoid Sweep

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - Middle Tennessee softball (7-28, 1-7) avoided a sweep against North Texas (10-26, 3-5, SBC) by taking the final game of the four-game series 1-0 Sunday at Blue Raider Field. The squad dropped the first game 3-1.

Middle Tennessee took the lead in a scoreless second game in the bottom of the sixth inning. With one out sophomore Trish White hit a double to give the Blue Raiders a scoring opportunity. It was all red-hot freshman Brandi Boehner needed as she stroked a ball between shortstop and second base to score White. In the four-game series with North Texas, it was Boehner's fourth RBI and also her third hit.

Leading 1-0 heading into the seventh inning, Middle Tennessee's chance to hold the lead and win the game hinged on hurler Jennifer Dorais. She answered the call, recording two fly balls and a strikeout to end the game and halt the Blue Raider's 12-game losing streak. Dorais also notched her first win on the mound and improves to 1-8 on the season. The 1-0 victory over North Texas was the first shut out the Blue Raiders have recorded since the team beat St. Francis 4-0 on February 26.

White continued to impress in the weekend series with North Texas. She started the first game and tossed a complete game, but was on the losing side of a 3-1 decision. White allowed six hits, two earned runs and struck out seven, just one strikeout shy of her career-high, which she set on Saturday.

North Texas scored the first run of the opening game off a Blue Raider error to lead the game 1-0. The Mean Green extended the lead to 2-0 when Stephanie Cranmer doubled and then scored off an RBI single by Katya Muller in the third inning.

Middle Tennessee pulled within one run in the fourth inning. Dorais opened the inning by drawing a walk and advanced to second off a sacrifice bunt by Liz Davis. She scored on an RBI double by Boehner. North Texas added a third run in the top of the seventh for insurance and the win.

White took the loss in game one and fell to 0-4 on the season, but that didn't deter the Mt. Juliet, Tenn. native. She asked for the ball again and started the second game. This time, she tossed 4.1 scoreless innings allowing three hits and striking out two. Dorais came into the game and tossed 2.1 innings, allowing two hits and striking out three.

Middle Tennessee plays its last non-conference game of the season on Wednesday when the Blue Raiders host Samford. First pitch action is set for 3 p.m. at Blue Raider Field.

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