Middle Tennessee softball (16-24, 4-14 CUSA) defeated Tennessee State University (1-30, 1-17 OVH) 7-3 on Wednesday night at the Blue Raider Softball Field. 

Highlighted by senior Onnika Spencer’s start behind the plate against her former team, the Blue Raider offense put up six runs across two innings to cruise past the Tigers. 

“Whenever we’ve got someone that transfers in, and we play their former team, I want them to play really well,” head coach Jeff Breeden said. “I want them to go out and be a winner and be glad that they left where it was that they came from.” 

Spencer’s journey back to her hometown created a special moment, allowing her to play in the same position against the Tigers that she had played with them for three seasons. 

The opportunity came for Spencer after Breeden decided to place fourth-year catcher Ansley Blevins at the first base position, setting up that moment for Spencer. 

“She (Spencer) does a good job for us behind the plate, so I thought she might as well start there since we were playing her former team,” Breeden said. 

Spencer’s night was filled with excitement at the opportunity to play her former team, saying that she had been “waiting for the moment.” 

Leading up to the game, Spencer leaned on her teammates, knowing that they would have her back and she would have their support. 

“It felt great, I wasn’t trying to do too much,” Spencer said. “I wasn’t going to let too much pressure get ahold of me and just trusting myself and going out and playing ball like I do every day.” 

Spencer ended the night with one hit, one run and threw out a baserunner at second in the fifth inning while the Blue Raiders’ 4-2 lead was still within reach of the Tigers. 

In the bottom of the fifth inning the Blue Raiders broke open the scoring as shortstop Jana Want scored third baseman Adaeze Nwogbo with a single.  

In the next at-bat, Blevins hit a two-run homer giving Middle Tennessee a 7-2 lead heading into the sixth inning. 

“We always want to beat teams when we have players transfer in,” Blevins said. “She’s got a great relationship with all of the girls, and we just wanted to go out and win for her.” 

The Blue Raiders continue their home stand this week with a series against New Mexico State University (21-20, 11-7 CUSA) beginning on Friday at 6 p.m. CDT.