Carroll, Mobley Lead Blue Raiders to Victory

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. - Freshman Brett Carroll hit a solo home run in the top of the ninth and fellow frosh Chris Mobley pitched three scoreless innings to get the win, as the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders defeated Illinois State, 6-5, Friday at the Austin Peay Governor Classic.

With the game tied at five and one out in the ninth, Carroll hit a 1-2 pitch over the wall in deep left-centerfield for the game-winning run. Mobley (1-0) relieved Blue Raider starter Adam Larson after a walk to leadoff the seventh for Illinois State (0-4), and allowed one hit and struck out three over three innings for the win.

The Blue Raiders (5-2) got on the board in the top of the first with three runs on three hits, including a two-run double down the leftfield line from Carroll and a sacrifice fly by Derek Phillips. The Redbirds scored two in their half of the first on a two-run blast over the rightfield wall by Mike Saunches.

Middle Tennessee added to the lead in the second when Doug Kunicki doubled to leadoff and later scored on an error by ISU second baseman Scott Legan. But the Redbirds tied the game at four in the third, scoring a pair of unearned runs on one hit, two walks and one Blue Raider error.

Kunicki singled to start the fourth and later scored on a passed ball, giving Middle Tennessee a 5-4 advantage. Illinois State tied the game in the sixth, scoring a run on a doubleplay.

Neither team threatened in the seventh or eighth until Carroll's first collegiate round-tripper. Larson pitched six-plus innings, allowing five runs, two earned, on seven hits. He walked six and struck out five.

Josh Archer, Kunicki and Carroll all went 2-for-5 in the contest. Carroll drove in three runs and Kunicki scored twice for the Blue Raiders, who have won three in a row since dropping two of three at Troy State last weekend.

Illinois State's third pitcher of the day, Dave MacDonald, suffered the loss, tossing 1.1 innings and giving up a run on two hits with two strikeouts.

The Blue Raiders continue action in the Austin Peay Governor Classic at 11 a.m. Saturday, taking on Eastern Michigan.

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