Lady Raiders Fall 3-2 in Semi-Finals of Mardi Gras Classic

MONROE, La. - Middle Tennessee softball (2-3) lost 3-2 to host Louisiana-Monroe (6-11) in the semi-finals of the Mardi Gras Classic on Sunday.

The Lady Raiders scored first in the fifth inning when first baseman Megan Cherinka hit a double to send home Lisa Sherman and Kip Phillips. ULM answered in the sixth inning with two runs of its own, and third baseman Ashley Palma hit the game clinching homerun for the Indians in the top half of the seventh inning.

Freshman catcher Leah Grothuase, making her second start in a row behind the plate, went 2-2 and Cherinka ended the day 2-4.

Pitcher Jennifer Martinez (2-1) picked up the loss allowing six hits, two earned runs and recording five strikeouts. Junior hurler Stacy Preator came into the game and pitched the seventh inning in relief.

"It was a tough opening tournament for this team, especially since we have only practiced six days outside," said head coach Cindy Connelley. "We learned a lot about this team, and had a chance to make it to the finals."

Danielle DeCamino, freshman third baseman, and Martinez were named to the Mardi Gras Classic All-Tournament Team and the team placed third overall. Middle Tennessee will travel to Cookeville, TN to compete in the Tennessee Tech Tournament on Saturday February 22 and Sunday February 23.

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