Blue Raiders Win 4-3 in Bottom of the 9th

Strong pitching was once again the story for the Blue Raiders (17-6) as Travis Horschel and Chris Mobley combined for a 4-3 win over Troy State (9-19) and a sweep of the two game series.

Mobley earned his third win against no defeats in relief of Horschel, who had thrown 6-1/3 solid innings in the contest. Horschel set career highs in innings pitched and strikeouts with his effort against the Trojans.

Mobley, who has been the most consistent man out of the bullpen for Steve Peterson's ballclub, hurled 2-2/3 innings of scoreless baseball while striking out three and not allowing a TSU hit.

The Blue Raiders went ahead early in the game after Chuck Akers led off the home half of the first by reaching after a Troy State error. Akers swiped second and advanced to third on a Nate Jaggers flyout. Marshall Nisbett did the honors with a smash up the middle that plated Akers.

However, the Blue Raiders would not have the same success for five more innings. Troy State starter Lucas Parks, pitching for the first time in his collegiate career, was solid in his six innings of work. He allowed only one run and five hits while picking up six strikeouts.

After tying the game in the top of the third, the Trojans found themselves in the lead after a two-run homer from Brian Lipman in the top of the sixth.

The Blue Raiders finally rallied to knot the score again with two runs in the bottom of the seventh, spurred by Derek Phillips leadoff double. Two walks loaded the bases with one out and Nisbett drew yet another walk to plate the first run of the inning. With the bases remaining loaded, Josh Archer was hit by a pitch to bring across the tying run.

It was Archer's turn to be the catalyst in the bottom of the ninth. He led off the frame with a sizzling double into left center and a subsequent infield hit from Chad Cooper put runners at first and second. Jason Howarth was intentionally walked to load the bases for Troy Harp, who delivered the game winner down the left field line to bring Archer home with the winning run.

Archer led the Blue Raider offense with a 2-for-4 effort that made him the only Blue Raider with multiple hits in the contest. Wade Miller led the Trojans with a 2-for-3 day at the plate.

Middle Tennessee now turns its focus to conference play as the team will travel to New Orleans to take on the Privateers in a 3-game set that begins on Friday evening at 6:30 PM. The series will be the SBC opener for the Blue Raiders and the second for the Privateers.

John Williams has been announced as the starter on Friday night and Adam Larson is scheduled to pitch on Saturday. Peterson has not yet decided who will get the nod for Sunday's series finale.

All three games in the series can be heard locally on WMTS FM 88.3 and via the internet at GoBlueRaiders.com.

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