Baseball falls to FIU, 11-2

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - Ryan Ford knocked out his third career home run but it wasn't enough as the Middle Tennessee baseball team fell 11-2 to visiting FIU on Saturday evening at Reese Smith Jr. Field.

The solo shot in the bottom of the eighth inning was Ford's second of the season. The sophomore ended the day 1-for-3 at the plate wit a run scored and a run batted in.

Justin Guidry ended the day 2-for-3 with a run. Both Johnny Thomas and Will Skinner also tallied hits, but the Blue Raiders were outhit as a team 16-5 by the Panthers.

After FIU slugged a solo homer in the first, Middle Tennessee (15-31, 7-16 SBC) responded in the bottom half of the frame. Guidry laced a two-out single to right and Skinner brought him home with a double to center.

However, the Panthers (31-16, 15-8 SBC) went on to score seven more runs before Ford's homer in the eighth.

Hunter Adkins got the start on the mound for Middle Tennessee, pitching 5.2 innings and allowing seven runs while striking out three.

Joey McClung tossed 2.1 innings and allowed a run, and Brandon Hall gave up three. Jud Stoltz recorded the final two outs of the ball game.

The Blue Raiders and Panthers will square off again on Sunday at Reese Smith Jr. Field. Eric Gilley is slated to start, and first pitch is set for noon.

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