MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – There's no question which area has to improve for Middle Tennessee to take a jump in the Conference USA standings this season: pitching.
The Blue Raiders had a stellar offensive year in 2017 behind first-year hitting coach Tim Donnelly, but their poor performance on the mound essentially negated it. They finished the season worst in the league with a 7.58 ERA and 11th in opposing batting average (.307), and more Raiders had an ERA above eight (10) than under (seven).
Head Coach Jim McGuire is hoping another coaching change gives his pitchers a similar shot in the arm to what his hitters had last season.