Couch homer lifts softball to victory

CLEARWATER, Fla - A Jessi Couch three-run homer in extra innings lifted the Middle Tennessee softball team to their fifth victory of the season in a 6-4 win over Boston College at the 2010 Under Armour Showcase in Clearwater, Fla., Saturday.

Couch's homer was just the second of the season for the Blue Raiders, but the three timely runs gave the team the lead after a three run Boston College rally in the previous frame forced extra innings.

Pitcher Lindsey Vander threw a complete game 8.0 innings of work en route to her fourth win of the season, striking out six and allowing three earned runs on eight hits.

Vander Lugt's morning was highlighted by a fifth inning jam she brilliantly battled through. The Olympia, Wash., native gave up a single to the first batter and retired the second before nearly tossing up a sure game tying BC homerun that just hooked foul. She rebounded and befuddled the batter on the next pitch for the looking strikeout. She would walk the next batter before retire two consecutive with great defensive help behind her.

Kelsey Dortch opened the scoring for the Blue Raiders in the top of the fourth inning using her speed to advance from first to home as the Boston College centerfielder misplayed a Corrie Abel line-drive single putting the Raiders up 1-0 and Abel at second. Abel would move to third on a wild pitch, but the team could not drive her home.

In the top of the fifth, Brittney Banania doubled off Eagles relief pitcher Allison Gage to score Kristi Marquez from third who had doubled to center and was then pushed to third on a Kandra Singleton sac bunt. This gave the Blue Raiders a 2-0 lead. Banania continues to lead the Raiders with seven RBIs.

The team will play the second half of their Saturday doubleheader at 11:45 a.m. as they take on the Radford Highlanders. Livestats with full results and coverage will be available on GoBlueRaiders.com.

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