Trojan Classic Debut for Middle Tennessee Softball

Photo / MTSU Athletics / #17 Lucy McDonald and teammates prepare to play

TROY, AL - In a challenging start to the 2026 season, the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders softball team faced a tough opening day at the Trojan Classic, suffering two losses against North Alabama and Troy. The day began with the Blue Raiders squaring off against the Lions, where they managed to score just one run, ultimately falling 5-1.

Mary Martinez took the mound for Middle Tennessee in the first game, but it was Braelyn Hall who caught the attention of fans with her impressive relief performance. Hall entered the game and struck out three of the seven batters she faced over 1.1 scoreless innings. Despite their effort, the Blue Raiders could only muster three hits, with Ansley Blevins stepping into the spotlight by recording two hits.

The second game against the Trojans started differently. Middle Tennessee burst out of the gate, establishing an early lead with a well-executed first inning. RBIs from Lilly Bethune and Kennedy Chatman propelled the Blue Raiders to a 2-0 lead. However, the thrill was short-lived as Troy capitalized on defensive errors and rallied back to overwhelmed the Blue Raiders, scoring three runs in the bottom of the first inning.

Tori Coffman initially took the mound for Middle Tennessee, but after the first inning, Hall came back in for relief. Hall continued her strong form, striking out another three batters and demonstrating her resilience on the mound by keeping the Trojan offense at bay for two more innings. Unfortunately, the Blue Raiders couldn’t recapture their early lead as Troy's bats came alive, ultimately routing Middle Tennessee 11-3 in five innings.

Despite the losses, some bright spots emerged for the Blue Raiders. Lexi Medlock and Ansley Blevins each began a two-game hit streak, demonstrating their potential as impactful players this season. Additionally, Hall’s six strikeouts in her first two appearances placed her at the forefront of the team’s pitching stats.

As the Blue Raiders packed up for the day, they looked forward to continuing the Trojan Classic with renewed determination. Saturday the Blue Raiders face Southern and Chattanooga, aiming to learn from their mistakes and turn the tide in their favor.