Blue Raider’s Impressive Bullpen Helps Team Beat Tennessee

By: LeVar Walker

            MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – A strong offensive effort, including an excellent performance by the bullpen, led the Blue Raider’s baseball team to an 11 to 5 victory over Tennessee on April 22 at Reese Smith Jr. Field.

             The win improved the team's record to 24-20.  Pitcher Paul Mittura was making his first start of the season after 18 appearances on the mound for the season.  He struggled giving up eight hits and four runs through two innings of play.  Blue Raiders coach Jim McGuire made a pitching change in the third inning, going to his bullpen. The bullpen’s impressive performance didn’t allow a hit the remaining seven innings of play. Backup pitcher Kooper Kessler picked up the win (1-0) (meaning his win-lost record), setting the tone for the incredible display for the bullpen.

As the bullpen was shutting down the Vols, the offense was led by right fielder Jake Ellison, who was 3-for-4, including his third homer of the season.  Left fielder Ryan Ford hit his fourth homer of the season with a 3 RBI (Runners Batted In).

            The Vols took a 4 to 3 lead going into the bottom of the fourth inning when MTSU had its most productive inning.  Back-to-back hits by Dain McNabb and Dalton Henzman set] up a two-run “homer” by Ford to give the Blue Raiders an 8 to 4 lead.

            Middle Tennessee continued in the fifth with Michael Adkins and McNabb each picking up an RBI giving the Blue Raiders a 10 to 4 lead.  McNabb finished the game two for four with 2 RBI.

             A solo homer by Ellison in the seventh inning gave Middle Tennessee an 11 to 4 lead.  A late run by the Vols in the eighth inning ended the game, giving the Blue Raiders an 11 to 5 victory. 

            "We got down 4 to 1 early and we got right back in it and made it 4 to 3," Head Coach Jim McGuire said. “That was a little unusual for us.  Usually when we are behind, it takes us awhile to get back going. We had some good at-bats in there, and it all took off with that big five-run inning. I'm very proud of what we did offensively with 14 hits and 11 runs. The bullpen was big to come in and give up no hits the rest of the game, and that was very impressive." (@MTAthletics)

            With the win, Middle Tennessee now has won back-to-back games and will try to make it three in a row when the Blue Raiders play at Arkansas State on 6 p.m. Friday, April 26.

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