Nieves' two-run blast not enough as Blue Raiders fall, 5-3

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - The Blue Raider softball squad dropped the third game of their series with Florida Atlantic, 5-3 on Wednesday afternoon at the Blue Raider Softball Field.

MT drops to 2-27 (1-6 SBC) while FAU inched closer to .500 and now sits at 17-18 (6-3 SBC).

The Blue Raiders picked took a 1-0 lead early in the game, but relinquished it in the third and couldn't recover as outs slipped away.

Caitlin McClure (0-7) took the loss, and was responsible for three runs through 2.0 innings.  Shelby Stinnett replaced her in the third, and scattered three hits while allowing one run.  She walked three as well.

With two outs in the fifth, Jordyn Fisherback came into the game at pitcher and threw the final 2.1 innings, allowing one run while striking out one batter.

Kristi Marquez broke out offensively in the game with a triple, and was 2-for-3, including being hit by a pitch in the top of the first.  Samantha Nieves was responsible for two of MT's three runs, as she blasted a 1-0 pitch high over the left field fence in the fourth inning for a two-run home run.

Nina Dever had MT's other hit and picked up an RBI.

Marquez led off the game by reaching when she was hit by Paige Pender's pitch, and moved to second on Nieves' sacrifice bunt.  After Laura Dukes took a four-pitch walk, Dever singled up the middle and Marquez beat the throw to plate for a score.

FAU answered back with one run in the second and two in the third, putting the score at 5-1.

MT, however, seemed primed for a comeback when Marquez led off the third with a triple to right field, and Nieves hit her third home run of the season in the next at-bat.  The Blue Raiders, however, could not find any more offense, and fell short.

The Blue Raiders will take a week off of game action before returning for a doubleheader next Wednesday, March 27, against Austin Peay.  First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.

Follow the Blue Raiders on Twitter @MTAthletics for continued updates.