MURFREESBORO, Tenn.?Middle
Tennessee pounded out 21 hits and scored in six different innings to take the
Sun Belt Conference series opener 13-3 from ULM Friday night at Reese Smith
Field.
The Warhawks pulled within 4-3
with a run in the top of the fourth inning, but hit into an inning-ending
double play with the bases loaded to end the frame. MTSU (25-10, 14-5 Sun Belt)
took advantage of the opening scoring nine runs over the next four frames to
put the game out of reach.
ULM (22-14, 11-8) had 11 hits
on the night led by a 3-for-4 performance by Perry Smith, who upped his batting
average to .400 on the season. Boomer Blanchard, Matt Laird and Jordy Poche
each went 2-for-4 with an RBI.
Bryce Brentz (4-2) did it at
the plate and on the mound for the Blue Raiders. He struck out nine batters
over eight innings to pick up the win, while going 3-for-5 with a pair of
doubles and a home run. Eight of the
nine MTSU starters recorded multiple hits on the night.
Don Williams (4-1) lost for
the first time this season allowing eight runs on 13 hits over four innings of
work.
Due to the threat of impending
inclement weather, the teams will now play a doubleheader Saturday beginning at
4 p.m. The first game will be a battle of southpaws as the Warhawks will send Justin
Anderson (5-1, 4.79 ERA) to the mound and MTSU will counter with Kenneth Roberts
(4-2, 3.94). In the finale, ULM will send righty Jordy Poche (2-2, 5.53) to the
bump, while MTSU will give the ball to left-hander Brett Wilson
(3-1, 4.68).
Both games will be broadcast
live in the Monroe area on 1680 AM and worldwide on the internet at ulmathletics.com.
