May 4, 2001
Bowling Green, Ky. - Western Kentucky starter Ryan Hutchison (Sr., Vincennes, Ind.) and Middle Tennessee ace Dewon Brazelton both threw complete games, but MTSU scored three times in the sixth to take the first of a three-game series 5-1 Friday night.
The Blue Raiders (35-10, 14-8 SBC) got on the board first with a run in the third inning. CF Chuck Akers drew a walk to lead off the frame. He then stole second and moved to third as the throw went into center field. 1B Kris Lammers followed with a single to center, driving in Akers to make it a 1-0 MTSU lead.
The Hilltopper (29-21, 12-10 SBC) evened the score at 1-1 in the bottom of the third as CF Tim Cleland (Sr., Klamath Falls, Ore.) led off the inning with a home run to left. It was Cleland's sixth homer of the season.
MTSU regained the lead in the sixth as LF Justin Sims led off the inning with a single. After stealing second, Sims moved to third on a single by 3B Brandon Johnson. Catcher Kyle Thomas then grounded a ball back to Hutchison who threw the ball into center attempting to start a double play, allowing Sims to score. DH Kyle Skillman followed with a single to right, plating Johnson. Lammers then hit a one-out sacrifice fly to right, driving in Thomas to give Middle a 4-1 lead. MTSU added another run in the ninth as 2B Josh Renick drew a two-out walk and scored on a double to right by RF Marshall Nisbett, putting the Raiders on top 5-1. Brazelton shut down the Toppers in the bottom of the ninth to improve to 11-1 on the year.
Hutchison (8-7) suffered the loss despite throwing his fifth complete game of the year, going all 9.0 inning, allowing five runs, three of which were earned, on 10 hits while striking out two. Brazelton struck out a career-high 16 batters and holding the Toppers to a season-low three hits in his eighth complete game of the year.
Western and Middle Tennessee will conclude their series with a doubleheader on Saturday. Game one will begin at 2 p.m. (CDT).
- WKU -
