A Dominant Performance on the mound and at the plate
Middle Tennessee State University’s baseball team posted an 8‑1 victory over Liberty University on Thursday, a result that guarantees the Blue Raiders a place in the upcoming Conference USA tournament. The win, achieved in front of a home crowd in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, was built on a seven‑inning effort from right‑hander David Horn Jr., who allowed just one run while striking out nine batters.
Offensively, the Raiders exploded early, with Cooper Clapp leading the charge. Clapp finished 3‑for‑5, adding two runs batted in and a solo home run that stretched the lead to 3‑0 in the third inning. His multi‑hit performance helped the team capitalize on Liberty’s early miscues.
The Blue Raiders’ offense continued to pile on runs, extending the margin to 8‑1 by the final frame. The early burst of scoring set the tone, allowing the pitching staff to play with confidence and maintain control throughout the contest.
With the win, Middle Tennessee improves to a tie for seventh place in the C‑USA standings and still has a shot at moving up to sixth. Head coach Jerry Meyers and his staff will look to keep the momentum going as the team prepares for its final two regular‑season games.
The next matchup is scheduled for Friday at 3 p.m. CDT back in Murfreesboro, where the Raiders will face Liberty again. A victory, combined with a favorable result from Delaware University, could push the team into the No. 6 seed heading into the tournament.