Blue Raiders Swept by No. 23 Southern Illinois

CARBONDALE, Ill. - Middle Tennessee softball (9-27-1) was swept by No. 23 Southern Illinois (25-5) 5-0, 10-2 Wednesday at Charlotte West Stadium.

In the first game, Middle Tennessee hurler Ashley Katinas gave up two homeruns that led to Southern Illinois defeating the Blue Raiders 5-0. SIU started off the game strong when Tiffanie Dismore hit a lead-off homerun. The Saluki added one more run in the inning off an RBI single by Chelsea Petty. SIU added one run in the third inning.

Southern Illinois pitcher Cassidy Scoggins had a perfect game going through three innings, but Blue Raider Katie Mielke broke up her perfecto with a single to center field in the fourth inning. It was the only hit of the game for Middle Tennessee.

Katinas gave up her second homerun of the game when Petty hit a two run shot in the fifth inning. Katinas falls to 2-5 on the season.

In game two, Southern Illinois again jumped out early with two runs in the first inning. With the bases loaded, Katie Louis hit a two RBI single to put the Saluki up 2-0 to start the game.

In the fifth inning it was rally time for the Blue Raiders. With one out, Mielke drew a walk. With two outs, Shelby Stiner hit a shot to centerfield that scored Mielke all the way from first base and Stiner moved to second on the throw from the outfield. In the next play, Muriel Ledbetter hit a single to left field to score Stiner and tie the game at two.

Southern Illinois exploded for eight runs in the fifth inning to enforce the mercy rule and end the game. White takes the loss and falls to 2-10 on the season.

Middle Tennessee opens Sun Belt Conference play on Saturday when the Blue Raiders travel to Bowling Green, Kentucky to take on Western Kentucky. First pitch in the doubleheader begins at 1 p.m.

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