KENNESAW, Ga. \u2014Despite a lengthy weather delay that pushed first pitch by nearly three hours, Jacksonville State University sealed a 9-3 win over Middle Tennessee as the final pitch landed in the glove of Gamecock catcher Grayson Ashe.<\/p>\n
After Wednesday\u2019s 8-2 Conference USA Baseball Championship pool play loss to Western Kentucky University, No. 9-seeded MTSU (0-2) dropped the second game of pool play to No.1- seeded Jacksonville State University (1-0), eliminating the Blue Raiders from postseason contention.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt [the loss] wasn\u2019t because of effort \u2014 there were a lot of emotions, a lot of circumstances, but our guys competed,\u201d MTSU head coach Jerry Meyers said.<\/p>\n
After the final out, the dugout slowly emptied as players lingered on the field before exiting Mickey Dunn Stadium in Kennesaw. The Blue Raiders entered the matchup with the Gamecocks on the second day of back-to-back postseason contests. However, with the loss to the Hilltoppers a day earlier, MTSU\u2019s postseason hopes were already extinguished.<\/p>\n
\u201cI felt like we showed some character today, even though we didn\u2019t have an opportunity to advance,\u201d Meyers said.<\/p>\n
Even with Middle Tennessee\u2019s postseason picture already decided, Jacksonville State didn\u2019t waste time in the top of the first.<\/p>\n
MTSU starter Chandler Alderman issued two walks and allowed a single, leading to an early Jax State run. The Blue Raiders settled into the batters\u2019 box in the bottom of the third, as MTSU third baseman Brett Vondohlen launched a solo-shot home run into deep right, tying the game at 1-1 after three innings.<\/p>\n
In the fourth, both teams traded runs before MTSU second baseman Cooper Clapp launched a home run towards the Waffle House in right field, driving in a runner and putting the Blue Raiders on top 3-2 after four innings. The Savannah, Tennessee native finished the season with 12 home runs on 41 hits after missing part of the 2025 season with a hand injury.<\/p>\n
Clapp\u2019s long ball shattered the school single-season record for home runs in the post-BBCOR era with 73 home runs, beating the 72 home run bar set in 2024.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think I\u2019ve gotten more mature with my approach \u2014 just trusting myself and not overswinging,\u201d Clapp said.<\/p>\n
Following the homer, the Gamecocks seized control of momentum as Alderman was pulled in the sixth after a Trey King RBI single tied the game at 3-3. Redshirt junior arm Cole Torbett filled in on the mound, allowing one of Alderman\u2019s runs before ending the inning on a lineout.<\/p>\n
After an inning of no-run work from Torbett, MTSU turned to right-hander Drew Horn out of the bullpen in the top of the seventh with the Gamecocks holding a 4-3 advantage.<\/p>\n
Horn settled in quickly, stringing together two scoreless innings in the seventh and eighth to keep the Blue Raiders in reach. But, Jacksonville State\u2019s offense broke through again in the ninth, plating two runs off Horn, putting the Gamecocks ahead 6-3.<\/p>\n
Jacksonville State plated three runs (two earned) on MTSU right-handed pitcher John Michael Pickens, securing a 9-3 win. Jax State\u2019s starting arm Steven Cash led the way for the Gamecocks in the victory, pitching five innings of three-run ball while striking out eight Blue Raiders.<\/p>\n
As the Gamecocks celebrated across the diamond, Clapp, alongside many other faces in the dugout, reflected on what has been an up-and-down campaign for MTSU.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis group is awesome,\u201d Clapp said. \u201cIt sucks we went out that way.\u201d<\/p>\n
Middle Tennessee wraps up the season with a return to the CUSA tournament for the first time since 2024. After postseason losses, the Blue Raiders\u2019 final record is 26-31, with a 14-16 mark in CUSA play.
\u201cJust proud of our guys for continuing to fight, continuing to battle through a bunch of stuff throughout the year,\u201d Meyers said.
With the offseason now underway, the Blue Raiders will look to fill holes left by graduating seniors, including Catcher Tyler Minnick, first baseman Dean O\u2019Neill and Friday starter David Horn Jr.
\u201cEven more of a special place in my heart with the guys that have been here for four years, the guys that have come in and contributed,\u201d Meyers said. \u201c \u2026 super happy with the fact that they came in, did things the right way and contributed to make the program better.\u201d<\/p>\n
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