Blue Raiders hit the road this weekend

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - The Middle Tennessee baseball team will be headed to Ruston, La., this weekend to face Louisiana Tech in their first road series of the season.

The Blue Raiders are entering the series with a 1-0 record away from Murfreesboro. Last week, MT knocked off defending OVC champion Tennessee Tech in 10-6 fashion in Cookeville.

Will Skinner leads the Middle Tennessee offense this season with a .424 average, four home runs and a 11 runs batted in. The senior also has earned six walks and holds a team-best .524 on base percentage.

With a .464 average, Tyler Acker has been the best hitter this season. He's been especially productive in two-out situations, going 7-for-9 in eight games this year. He's also walked four times and knocked in seven runs, which ranks second on the team.

Davis Pearce is coming off a breakout weekend against Jacksonville State. In his first career start, the senior went 4-for-6 and then homered the next day. For the season, Pearce is hitting .389 with five RBI in five games.

On the mound, the Blue Raiders will toss Hunter Adkins on the first day. Adkins has been the most solid starter for MT this season, but has an 0-2 record to show for it. The sophomore allowed just one run over seven innings in his first start, but left with a no decision. He was given the loss in his second after a solid five-inning outing. On Tuesday, Adkins came on in relief and earned his second loss.

Daniel Palo has a 0-0 record in two starts and is slated to start on Saturday. Sunday's starter is to be announced.

Louisiana Tech comes into the weekend with a 6-2 record after falling to Sun Belt foe UALR earlier this week. The Bulldogs were picked to finish sixth in the Western Athletic Conference. This marks the third WAC team that MT has faced under the direction of head coach Steve Peterson. Previously, the Blue Raiders fell to San Diego State in 1990 and Hawai'i in 1991, both in NCAA Regional action. In 2001, Middle Tennessee took two out of three from Louisiana Tech when they were still a member of the Sun Belt Conference.

The Blue Raiders and Bulldogs will square off at J.C. Love Field in Ruston, La., on Friday evening. First pitch is set for 6 p.m. Blue Raider Network will not be broadcasting this weekend's games.

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