Volunteer State News

Middle Tennessee softball swept the doubleheader on Saturday at Louisiana Tech, 5-2 and 2-1, to move the Blue Raiders' record in league play to 4-1 on the year.
 
Game 1 – MTSU 5 – LA Tech 2
 
In the top of the second, Julia Garcia hit a line drive over the centerfielder's head for a double. Shelby Sargent followed Garcia with a hit of her own to give the Blue Raiders runners in scoring position. Amaya Harris drove in two runs with a single to give the Blue Raiders the lead. Shelby Echols then extended the lead with a single to make the score 3-0 in favor of MTSU.
 
The early lead for the Blue Raiders forced LA Tech to make a pitching change and bring in freshman Allie Floyd. Floyd threw four scoreless innings after entering the game. The pitching for MTSU was led by Gretchen Mead with nine strikeouts on two runs in a complete game.
 
Game 2 – MTSU 2 – LA Tech 1
 
LA Tech got on the board in the bottom of the first after a couple of walks created a scoring opportunity. MTSU didn't get its first baserunner until the third inning on a single by Harris. The Blue Raiders tied the game in the fourth with an RBI single from Sargent.
 
In the top of the sixth, The Lady Techsters brought in freshman Mary Martinez to pitch. After a throwing error, Anyce Harvey advanced to third where Garcia drove her in with a sacrifice fly to give MTSU the lead 2-1.
 
Keri Munn stranded two LA Tech baserunners in the bottom of the sixth to keep the lead heading into the seventh. Munn in her complete game only allowed three hits on one run.
 
By the Numbers
 
· Laura Mealer and Shelby Echols rank 12th in the nation in stolen bases with 20.
· Gretchen Mead improved to 8-2 on the year in the circle.
· MTSU improved to 4-1 in Conference USA play.
 
Quote from Head Coach Jeff Breeden
 
"Our offense was very opportunistic today. We capitalized each time we made their defense break. Our two pitchers in Mead and Munn both pitched great, complete games are extremely hard to throw in conference. We faced a very good team and came out on top twice. Our kids have character and grit about them!"
 
Quote from Pitcher Gretchen Mead
"My approach has always been the same, trust the work you put in during the week. I'm confident in my defense, if people are going to put the ball in play, my defense will make the play behind me." 

Original source can be found here