MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – A big inning proved to be Middle Tennessee's downfall Friday night.
In the first of a three-game series against visiting Southern Miss (27-13, 15-4), the Blue Raiders (16-26, 9-10) battled for most of the game but fell 7-1 after allowing a five-run sixth inning.
For the game's first five innings, MT senior starter Carson Lester held the high-powered Golden Eagle offense at bay. He surrendered just a single run heading into the sixth before Conference USA's third-highest scoring team found its stride.
The visitors benefited from a solo home run then two run-scoring singles, a sacrifice fly and RBI double, plating five runs in the frame to break open a 6-1 advantage.