Softball splits doubleheader with Eastern Kentucky

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - Middle Tennessee split a doubleheader with Eastern Kentucky on Thursday, picking up a 2-1 victory in Game 1 before falling in the second contest, 5-1.

The Blue Raiders are now 2-21 on the year while EKU sits at 11-9.

Samantha Nieves continued her recent hot streak, finishing a combined 4-for-6 on the day while Katie Brown picked up her second and third doubles of the season.  Additionally, Laura Dukes was 1-for-3 in each contest.

Jordyn Fisherback (2-10) picked up her second win of the season after throwing a complete game, allowing just one run (unearned) while scattering seven hits.  She struck out two in the win.

MT jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first, as Nina Dever reached second on an error by EKU's Melissa Costa.  Dever then scored in the next at-bat, as Dukes singled up the middle.

From there, the Blue Raiders would tack on the game-winning run in the fourth.  Nieves led-off the inning with a single, and moved to second on Ashley Stassin's sacrifice bunt.  Kayla Toney then singled up the middle to score Nieves.

EKU answered back with one run in the fifth, as Carissa Reisinger doubled to lead-off and would later score when Nicole Heitz laid down a sacrifice bunt, but reached safely on an MT error.

In Game 2, Shelby Stinnett (0-5) took the loss after allowing two runs on seven hits in 3.1 innings.  Caitlin McClure threw the final 3.2, allowing three more runs but giving up just two hits.

EKU took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second, as Christina Ciolek singled and would later cross the plate when Raquel Howes picked up a two-out hit.

MT answered back with a run of its own in the third, when Katie Brown doubled to left field and moved to third on Kristi Marquez's sacrifice bunt.  She would then score with two outs on a passed ball during Dukes' at-bat.

EKU tacked on four more runs in the contest, however, putting the game out of reach.

MT will travel to Miami, Fla., this weekend for a three-game series with Florida Atlantic, beginning Saturday, March 16.

Friend of the Blue Raiders? Like us on Facebook and become part of the True Blue army today.