Abel breaks career hits record against Louisville

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. - Middle Tennessee's Corrie Abel broke the MT record for most hits on a two-run home in the third inning on Friday in a 10-5 loss to Louisville in the first day of competition of the 2011 TTU Combat Classic. MT fell in the second game 6-0 to Tennessee Tech.

Abel's knock came with two outs and a 2-1 count. The windy conditions gave the senior's high shot enough momentum to clear the center field wall and was the Shorewood, Ill., native's 196th hit as a Blue Raider. She moved past Allison Cheatham for most hits in school history. These two runs pulled the Blue Raiders pulled back within three of the Cardinals after giving up five the previous inning.

Abel drove in Nina Davenport from second on the play. Davenport reached previously on what was her second hit of a 3-3 day. The sophomore had a double, coaxed a walk and scored two runs.

After giving up three more in the fourth, Natalie Ysais blasted her first home run of the season, moving the score to 8-3.

Louisville added two more in the sixth.

The Blue Raiders pulled two more back in the seventh. Brittney came home from third on a wild pitch after earlier walking and Davenport came home on a double stealing steal. The scored would end 10-5.

Janele Robinson was saddle with her third lose of the season. In the lose, Robinson gave up seven earned runs while striking out four batters and walking two.

Middle Tennessee struggled in the second game, taking in a tough 6-0 decision to traditional rival Tennessee Tech.

Jordyn Fisherback threw a complete game, en route to her second loss of the year. The freshman gave up five earned runs off eight. She had six strikeouts and one walk.

As a team, the Blue Raiders were only able to muster three hits in the game.

The squad's best opportunity came in the seventh inning. Ysais led off with a walk before Kayla Toney tallied a pinch-hit single. After a Jessi Couch popup, Kelsey Dortch singled to the right side to load the bases. A strikeout and a groundout ended the mounting attack.

The Blue Raider return to action tomorrow as they will conclude play at the 2011 TTU Combat Classic on Saturday as they take on Samford at 5:00 p.m. and North Carolina State. Stay tuned to GoBlueRaiders.com and Twitter.com/MT_Softball for all team coverage and updates.

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