Box Score

Murfreesboro, Tenn. (April 16, 2003) - Senior second baseman Justin Christian hit a big three-run homer to right field in the eighth inning to put the Tribe in front of the Blue Raiders of Middle Tennessee, but four unearned runs for the Raiders in their half of the eighth put them on top for good as MTSU defeated the Indians, 11-9. Southeast falls to 18-11, while MTSU moves to 18-19.

Middle scored four runs in the first inning as the leadoff hitter singled to start the inning and then moved to second on an error by Indian starter Ryan Forsyth. Two quick outs was followed by another error as four runs scored in the inning, all unearned.

The Tribe got one run in the second and two in the third to cut the lead to one. With two outs, centerfielder Seth Moulton homered to deep center field to get the Tribe on the board. Left fielder Brian Hopkins singled to start the rally in the third. Three singles behind him by Justin Christian, Zach Borowiak and Gary Gilbert scored Hopkins and Christian.

Middle got a run in each of the fourth and sixth innings as the Tribe got one in the sixth, on a Hopkins RBI single. Gilbert started things off in the seventh with a walk. Moulton got a bunt single, but he moved to third and Gilbert scored on a throwing error. David Lawson then drove a single through the left side to drive in Moulton.

The Blue Raiders got a run in their half of the seventh and the Tribe answered back with three of their own in the eighth to take their first lead of the game. Third baseman Denver Stuckey singled to start the inning and moved up on a single from Hopkins. Both runners moved up on a wild pitch and then Christian hit a long home run to right center to give the Tribe a 9-7 lead.

The Blue Raiders, however, got four more unearned runs in the bottom of the eighth to take an 11-9 lead. Denver Stuckey had come in the game to pitch an inning earlier and he walked the lead-off hitter to start the inning. Derek Phillips then reached on a fielder's choice as a perfect double-play situation went away when Christian threw the ball into left field. Stuckey then got the next batter to ground to shortstop but the ball went off of Borowiak's glove and another double-play situation was blown. Stuckey recovered, however and got the next two batters out. With one run in and two outs, second baseman Nate Jaggers hit a long drive to left field that left the park and won the game for the Blue Raiders.

Christian had three RBI on the day and was 3-5 with two runs scored. Hopkins was 3-5 as well and had an RBI with two runs. Moulton went 3-5 with an RBI and two runs. The Tribe had 16 hits on the day.

Forsyth pitched six strong innings allowing six runs, only two of which were earned, while striking out five and walking two. Korey Klein and Stuckey pitched the final two innings and they combined for just one earned run allowed.

The Tribe now will try to re-group and prepare for OVC play again as they will play host to the Eastern Illinois Panthers this Friday and Saturday.