March 7, 1999

GREENVILLE, South Carolina -- Middle Tennessee Stateıs Courtney Wallace improved to 6-1 on the year and teammate Jennifer Martinez earned the save as the Raiders defeated Furman 6-3 in softball action Sunday at Furmanıs Varsity Field.

MTSU struck early scoring two off starting pitcher Kelly Jack in the bottom of the second inning, but Furman rebounded with a run in the top of the third to make the score 2-1. Furman pulled ahead in the top of the fifth with a pair of runs by Heather Flanagan and Erin Keen, but the Raiders responded with four runs in the bottom of the fifth to regain the lead for good.

Wallace, the starting pitcher for Middle Tennessee, gave up five hits in five innings and three earned runs, while Martinez pitched flawlessly in the final two innings and claimed three strikeouts. The Lady Paladinsı Kelly Jack fell to 2-3 on the year after giving up nine hits and six runs, three of which were earned, in 4.2 innings work. Reliever Chrissy Hacker was perfect in the final 1.1 innings.

Wallace led MTSU on the day with a two-for-three showing at the plate with two runs scored and two RBI. The Lady Paladins were led by Heather Flanaganıs one-for-two showing and two runs scored, and Saskia Gazenbeekıs two RBI. Junior Erin Keen claimed the Lady Paladinsı only other RBI when Flanagan scored on Keenıs triple in the fifth inning.

With the win MTSU improves to 9-5 on the year, while Furman falls to 4-11.

Game 1 MTSU 6, Furman 3

Furman 001 020 0 3R, 5H, 4E

MTSU 020 040 6H, 9R, 0E

Winning Pitcher: Courtney Wallace (61) Losing Pitcher: Kelly Jack (2-3)