Photo by Meagan White // Staff Photographer
Middle Tennessee (14-16, 2-8 C-USA) made a late push with two runs in the ninth inning, but Southern Miss eventually shut the Blue Raiders’ offense down, winning game one of the three-game series, 6-4.
The Blue Raiders were only down one run heading into the fifth inning, but Southern Miss began to pull away. The Golden Eagles scored three runs to give themselves a commanding 5-1 lead.
MTSU senior pitcher Nate Hoffmann pitched seven innings and threw 95 pitches, 70 for strikes, but gave up nine hits and five runs (four earned).
Hoffmann was relieved by MTSU pitcher Caleb Smith, who allowed two hits and one earned run in his only inning of the game.
Blue Raider junior first baseman Kevin Dupree hit the only home run for the Blue Raiders in the ninth inning, and finished the game with three hits and one RBI.
MTSU freshman Austin Dennis had a triple in the sixth inning, and finished the game with two hits, one run and one RBI.
Middle Tennessee will look to tighten up its pitching tomorrow as the series against Southern Miss continues. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m. CT.
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