| Raiders share SBC baseball title following rainout |
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Posted: Saturday, May 16, 2009 8:44 pm
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Middle Tennessee and Western Kentucky end the regular season as Sun Belt co-champions with the Blue Raiders taking the No. 1 seed in the tournament after winning the series.
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After a two-hour and 28 minute rain delay the final game of the series between Western Kentucky was called due to unplayable field conditions after a large amount of rainfall in the Murfreesboro area.
The Blue Raiders trailed 4-2 in the top of the fourth with two outs when play was suspended due to lightning in the area. Since the game had not reached the fifth inning it is not considered official.
“There was nothing we could do with a wet field and there was more rain on the way so this was really the best decision for both teams. I am very proud of my team and what they accomplished. They had a tough road to go and we were able to win five out of the last six games. You are remembered by how you play at the end and we played pretty well in the two-game series with Western,” head coach Peterson said.
Middle Tennessee and Western Kentucky end the regular season as Sun Belt co-champions with the Blue Raiders taking the No. 1 seed in the tournament after winning the series while the Hilltoppers will have the No. 2 seed.
“I was very proud of how my team went about their business this week and everyone in the Blue Raider family should be very proud to be a part of this. Congratulations to Western Kentucky,” Peterson said. “I think winning this series helps us and them losing the series doesn’t hurt them at all. Congratulations to my team. It hasn’t sunk in yet because I didn’t see the last out.”
It is Middle Tennessee’s third regular season Sun Belt title as it also won the regular season in 2001 and 2004.
The Hilltoppers got on the board early as Jared Andreoli hit a solo shot to left center to begin the game.
Middle Tennessee quickly answered as a double to left field by McDade scored Bishop and Hines from second and third putting them up by one, 2-1.
WKU tied the game at two in the second and then took a one run lead in the third after a single to right by Rice scored a runner from second, 3-2 WKU.
Andreoli hit another home run to the exact same spot in the fourth inning to take a 4-2 lead with play being called right after that due to lightning.
The Blue Raiders will begin play in the Sun Belt Championships on Wednesday, May 20. Pairings and game times for the tournament will be announced once the bracket is released by the league office.
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