Softball Drops Two to FIU

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - Middle Tennessee softball (8-35, 1-13 SBC) fell to Florida International (30-28, 8-6 SBC) 2-0, 5-1 Saturday at Blue Raider Field.

In the first game, sophomore hurler Trish White tossed eight scoreless innings against a powerful Florida International club, allowing just three hits before giving up the eventual game-winning hits.

In the top of the ninth inning, Florida International's Jennifer Powell hit a leadoff solo homerun to break open the scoreless game and give the Panthers a 1-0 lead. With one out, Brook Ruiz hit a single and then scored off an RBI single by Brittany Witherow for the second run of the inning.

The Blue Raiders played flawless ball on defense in the first game, not committing an error and turning a season high two double plays. However, the Blue Raiders continued to struggle at the plate and after Florida International finally broke up the scoreless game, Middle Tennessee had no way to answer.

White started her 11th game of the season and is still looking for her elusive first win. She falls to 0-9 on the season, though she is pitching well enough to win. In arguably one of her more stellar outings of the season, the outfielder turned pitcher, had six strikeouts against Florida International and gave the Blue Raiders more than just a chance to win the game.

Middle Tennessee got itself out of a jam in the top of the seventh inning in what would prove to be play of the game. With the bases loaded and two outs, White forced the Witherow into a double play as she hit a grounder to third baseman Melissa Weiland who promptly threw the ball home for the first out, then catcher Leah Grothause alertly tossed the ball back to first to throw out Witherow.

The second game eerily mirrored the first for the first four innings with one difference, junior Blue Raider hurler Jennifer Dorais was now on the mound. Dorais tossed four scoreless innings and sat down 12 consecutive batters before Florida International broke open the game in the top of the fifth.

Panther Tabitha Embry hit a lead off double and advanced to third on a passed ball and scored on a two run homer by pitcher Tiffany Ore. Florida International tacked on three more runs in the top of the seventh when Witherow hit a three run bomb over the left field wall.

Middle Tennessee avoided the shut out in the second game as the Blue Raiders scored one run in the bottom of the seventh. With one out, sophomore Christi Benton hit a frozen rope to the outfield and moved to third when Melissa Weiland hit her 11th double of the season. Benton scored on an RBI ground out by Liz Davis. Dorias took the loss and falls to 2-10 on the season.

Middle Tennessee plays its final home games of the season on Sunday when the team completes its series with Florida International. The first pitch is set for 1 p.m.

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