MURFREESBORO, Tenn.— After a tough loss in the first game, the second game became a color war between the University of Evansville softball team (5-9) and Middle Tennessee State (8-10), as the Blue Raiders made multiple tough plays on defense to hold off the Purple Aces for the sweep on Tuesday.
MTSU 5, Evansville 0
Lindsey Vander Lugt’s no-hitter highlighted game one between the Purple Aces and Blue Raiders. Through seven innings of work, Vander Lugt (7-6) struck out six while walking one. Freshman Kendall Kautz (5-1) allowed six hits, four earned runs and one walk in the game.
Home runs were the key for MTSU to get runs across the board. Natalie Ysais posted a three-run home run in the first to put the home team ahead. Jessi Couch came through for the Blue Raiders in the fifth with a two-run blast over left center.
MTSU 5, Evansville 2
With Vander Lugt starting game two, UE didn’t let another no-hitter last long, as senior Krista Price posted a double in the team’s second at bat of the first inning. Junior Jen Stahlhut singled before both Aces were credited with stolen bases. Sophomore Amy Gaertner’s fielder’s choice let Price score, as the third baseman was charged an error in the throw to home.
After the Blue Raiders put up a run in the bottom of the first, freshman Alicia Betancur got on first in the second on a MTSU error and then stole second. Betancur moved to third on a freshman Halie Malone single before scoring off of senior Jamie Lindauer’s base hit to go up 2-1.
After holding MTSU with three scoreless innings, pinch-hitter Ashia Terry came in the bottom fifth and lifted MTSU to a 3-2 lead after a two-run homer over left field. The offense kept rolling in the sixth for the Blue Raiders as a Caitlin McClure single drove in two more runs to increase their lead 5-2 to end the day.
Senior Jen McKee (0-5) worked most of the game, as she allowed six hits while striking out three and walking three.
UE opens the 2010 Missouri Valley Conference schedule Wednesday, March 17 at Southern Illinois with a 3 p.m. doubleheader. The match-up will be aired on 91.5 WUEV.