Rutter walks it off in game two to earn split in series-opening doubleheader against UAB - GoBlueRaiders.com

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4/24/2021 | 1:00 PM

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Freshman catcher Briggs Rutter stood in with two-outs and two on in the bottom of the eighth inning. In an extra-innings situation, it was undoubtedly the biggest moment the Columbia native has faced in his young career even with it being his first career start.

After going hitless throughout the game, Rutter was still looking for his first career hit. Sure, he'd had a good game behind the plate, but now he was at the plate.  
UAB right hander Brady Greene got the sign, checked on MT DH Jacob Williams at second, turned back toward Rutter and delivered the full-count pitch.

A loud ting echoed throughout the ballpark at Reese Smith Jr. Field. For what seemed like it could've been an eternity that the ball was in the air, the fans held their breath.

Rutter flipped his bat, skipped and screamed at the ball to go fair. The umpire made his way up the third base line and signaled that the ball did indeed stay on the right side of the left field foul pole for Rutter's first career hit, home run, RBI and walk-off.

After losing the first game of its' series-opening doubleheader against UAB by a narrow score of 4-2, Rutter's walk-off home run ended the night on a high note for the Blue Raiders in a 5-2 win in game two.

"You grow up watching big-league baseball and seeing moments like this and when you get the chance to do it yourself, that's the first thing that comes to mind," Rutter said. "That was the coolest moment of my career. I think I blacked out running the bases. We're going to celebrate and enjoy this one tonight and come out and try to win another one tomorrow."

Game one
A three-run third inning by the Blazers proved to be too much for MT in the series opener en route to a 4-2 loss. MT starter Aaron Brown took the ball for the second time this season against the Blazers, this time fairing much better than he did in his first outing down in Birmingham. The right-hander pitched nearly a complete game, lasting 6.2 innings and allowing just four earned runs.

Brown's eight strikeouts helped keep him squarely within the top five in the country in strikeouts, and also puts him just four short of tying Jack Laverty for 10^th all-time for the program's season-high in strikeouts with 91. The one blemish on Brown's afternoon was the three-run output in the third by UAB. A two-RBI single to right field by UAB outfielder Colton Schultz proved to be the difference maker.

Middle Tennessee attempted to mount a comeback late, as the Blue Raiders pushed across their only two runs of the game in the bottom of the sixth inning. After Fausto Lopez and JT Mabry singled to start the inning, Hunter Sullivan drew a walk to load the bases for one of the hottest Blue Raider bats of late: Brett Coker. With a full count, Coker singled to the right side of the infield, picking up a pair of RBIs as JT Mabry came in to score on a throwing error by UAB second baseman Chandler Simpson.

UAB would add an insurance run in the seventh and continue to ride the right arm of starter Riley Davis to the win, who improved his record to 3-3 on the year, allowing just one earned run.

Game two
Of course, Rutter's walk-off home run was the biggest highlight of the second game for Middle Tennessee, but another shining star had a big day at the plate and was a big reason why the Blue Raiders snagged a win in game two.

Third baseman Brett Coker has been one of the hottest bats over the past few series. After setting five new season-highs against Western Kentucky last weekend, the sophomore wasted no time in setting some new ones in game two.

After driving in a pair of runs in the first game, Coker set a new season-high in extra-base hits and hits in a game in game two, going 2-for-4 with a pair of doubles in MTSU's 5-2 win.

On the day, Coker combined to go 3-for-7 with two RBIs, two doubles and a run scored in the series-opening split.

On the mound, starter Peyton Wigginton followed up his two-hit shutout last weekend against Western Kentucky with another near-complete game, going 6.2 innings and allowing just two runs.

He was relieved in the bottom of the sixth by David Zoz, who finished things off in extra's to earn his fifth win of the year, improving his record to 5-0. The left-hander picked up a pair of strikeouts to go with Wigginton's three, giving the Blue Raiders a total of five for game two.

"We certainly don't do things the easy way, but I'm proud of the guys for fighting hard tonight and picking up a win," said Middle Tennessee Head Coach Jim Toman. "I'm proud of (Briggs Rutter). That was his first real start and he did a real good job behind the plate. He finally got his chance and hung in there and hit that (home run ball) really well. I'm proud of him for getting it done today."

Anthony Fiorella is a writer for goblueraiders.com. Follow him on Twitter @a_fiorella74 and also follow @mt_baseball on Twitter, @mt_baseball on Instagram and Blue Raider Baseball on Facebook for more on the Blue Raiders.
 

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2021-04-24 02:37:26Z
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