Blue Raiders win in walk-off fashion in conference opener

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - A Tyler Burnett double in the eleventh allowed Middle Tennessee to win their first extra innings game of the season 5-4 over visiting UL-Monroe in the conference opener.

Burnett, a Murfreesboro native, proved to be the hero for the Blue Raiders (9-4). The junior went 3-5 at the plate with a home run and three RBI. The Blue Raiders had nine hits with Zach Hudson and Blake McDade each going 1-3 with a pair of walks. Bryce Brentz went 1-5 with an RBI, and Justin Guidry accounted for the other RBI for Middle Tennessee.

Kenneth Roberts put in a solid start, pitching eight and two thirds while allowing four runs and six hits and striking out four. Nick Montgomery earned his fourth win of the season, giving up just one hit over two and one third innings.

"Kenny Roberts pitched an outstanding ball game," said Head Coach Steve Peterson. "It's a shame he didn't get a win out of it, he was tough today."

Middle Tennessee got on the board first with a run in the second. McDade walked to open the frame, and a steal and a passed ball advanced him to third. Guidry grounded out to bring McDade home.

ULM took the lead in the top half of the third with three runs. Shane Ardoin and Boomer Blanchard strung together back-to-back singles to lead off the inning, and a ground out by Caleb Clowers advanced the runners to second and third. A single through the left side by Nick Wade plated Ardoin. Edwards doubled in the following at bat to scored both Blanchard and Wade.

The Blue Raiders would cut the deficit to one in the sixth. Hudson doubled down the left field line, and a wild pitch moved him to third. A Brentz single scored Hudson.

Middle Tennessee regained the lead in the seventh with a Burnett two-run homer over the fence in right field.

The Warhawks put together a two-out rally to tie the score in the ninth. Jordy Poche and Kelvin York singled through the left side to chase Roberts from the game. Josh Gill came on as a pinch hitter and singled to tie the game.

The Blue Raiders went ahead for good in the bottom of the 11th. Miller singled to left field to open up the inning, and a Burnett double to left field brought Miller home to end the game.

Middle Tennessee continue their first series of conference season on Saturday when they play ULM for game two at Reese Smith Jr. Field at 4 p.m. Daniel Palo is scheduled to start for the Blue Raiders. In the event of inclement weather in the Murfreesboro area on Saturday, check goblueraiders.com for any game changes.

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