Prior to Saturday’s rubber match against Troy, Blue Raider softball recognized its seniors. However, it was a sophomore on the mound who really put on a show.

Pitcher Janele Robinson pitched a complete game, giving up only one run to the Trojans. With only two walks on the day, it was Robinson’s command of the strike zone that really impressed in the 2-1, series-clenching victory.

“My goal for today was just to get ahead of the batters,” Robinson said. “I know whenever I get ahead we can really do what works for us.”

Troy’s only run in the game came in the third inning when the Trojans loaded up the bases with nobody out.

Robinson was able to get out of the pitching jam relatively unscathed, forcing a pop-up and two fly outs. Troy’s Sarah Harris was able to bring in the run on a sacrifice fly.

Middle struck early in the on the offensive end. With one out, designated hitter Corrie Abel singled to right field. Kelsey Woodruff the homered over the left field wall for a two-RBI shot.

“Yerterday when I was hitting, my last at bat off that pitcher was a pretty good hit,” Woodruff said. “Coach to me to take the first pitch and go with it. That’s what I did.”

The homer would be all Middle Tennessee would need to finish the game out the game against the division opponent.

Any time Troy would put runners on Robinson would bounce back quickly to get out of the inning, forcing the Trojans to strand 13 runners throughout the game.

“Whenever there were runners, I feel like we didn’t let them score,” Robinson said. “When we did make defensive mistakes we really bounced back well.”

The performance from Robinson was an important one for a team who lost their number one pitcher this season.

“Janele has had to step up and she’s done a great job,” Raider coach Sue Nevar said. “When she is in control on the mound she’s tough to beat.”

“It’s been a gradual progression for Janele. She came in last year with the tools, but not the mental progression. We’ve just scratched the surface of what Janele can do. “

There is still plenty of improvement for Middle Tennessee as the season winds down, and one area has got to be consistency at the plate.

"Kelsey was great for us today, but we needed more hits,” Nevar said. “We have shown if we get up earlier our pitchers settle in nicely and throw well for us."

Nevar said the team cannot continue to settle for four and five hit game, but should strive for closer to ten.

“Every team that we play is out for blood,” Nevar said.

After the game Nevar challenged the team to come back Monday ready become better, more consistent hitters.

“I feel like today was a big win,” Robinson said. “We needed to get momentum going into our biggest rival Western Kentucky.”

Middle will play a double header against Southeast Missouri State Tuesday at Blue Raider Field in Murfreesboro before going back. The last home game for the Raiders will be May 5 at 6 P.M. against Western Kentucky.