MT Shuts Out APSU 4-0

In a season that has seen Middle Tennessee (14-5) on shaky ground at times in the pitching and defense departments, Friday afternoon saw those key elements step up and produce a 4-0 win for the Blue Raiders over visiting Austin Peay (10-8).

Starter Adam Larson hurled the first complete game for the MT staff against Austin Peay and his effort also produced the first shutout of the year for the Blue Raider team.

Larson, who improved his record to 3-1, allowed only six hits during his stint while striking out nine and walking three.

The Blue Raiders also played error-free baseball for the first time since Feb. 28, a span of 14 games. In particular, the infield play was stellar as the Blue Raiders turned two double plays that turned the tide in two innings.

The Blue Raiders' got started offensively in the first inning. Chuck Akers led off with a walk and stole second before Nate Jaggers drew a free pass to put runners at first and second. Justin Sims turned in the team's first hit to load the bases and Marshall Nisbett delivered the run with a sacrifice fly to right field.

The Blue Raiders broke the game open in the bottom of the fifth with a three run uprising that came with two outs.

Akers was again the catalyst by drawing a walk. Jaggers came up big with a triple to left center that plated Akers. Sims followed with a double that scored Jaggers and Nisbett brought Sims across with a double of his own.

From there it was up to Larson.

In the last four innings, the senior right-hander struck out four of the nine he rang up while allowing only five hits during this stretch.

Leading the offensive charge for the Blue Raiders once again was the triumvirate of Akers, Sims and Nisbett. The three men combined to go 6-for-9 in the contest while driving in three of the team's four runs.

Jaggers was the other offensive hero for the Blue Raiders, going 1-for-3 with his run-producing triple while scoring two runs himself.

The Govs and the Blue Raiders will meet again on Saturday at 2 PM at Reese Smith Field before changing venues to Sunday to Hand Park in Clarksville.

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