MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Middle Tennessee softball edged out WKU 5-4 in a thriller at Blue Raider Softball Field on April 11.

The Blue Raiders (20-21, 8-8 CUSA) and Hilltoppers (20-17, 6-9 CUSA) were locked in a pitchers' duel through four innings, heading into the fifth in a scoreless tie. Leila Ammon was dealing early for MTSU, striking out four batters in the first three innings. WKU finally broke the deadlock in the fifth, scoring one run to take the lead.

That lead didn't last long. WKU transfer Addy Edgmon blasted a game-tying home run — her seventh of the season — to even things up at 1-1. The scoring continued just a few batters later when Julia Garcia launched a three-run shot over the center field fence, putting MTSU ahead 4-1.

WKU responded in the top of the sixth, tallying three runs to tie the game once again. During the inning, Mary Martinez entered as a relief pitcher and worked out of a jam to preserve the tie. Because MTSU wanted to keep her in the circle, Martinez stepped into the batter's box for just the third time this season — and came through in a big way. The junior crushed a no-doubter over the left field wall to give the Blue Raiders a 5-4 lead, then returned to the mound to close out the win in the seventh.

When asked about her home run, Martinez said the following: "It was an electric moment to come through for my team. My teammates always have my back when I'm pitching, so it felt great to return the favor."

By the Numbers

• 23: The Blue Raiders have extended their home run streak to 23 games, the longest in the NCAA this season.
• 51: With three homers today, the 2025 Blue Raiders have shattered the previous program record of 44 home runs in a single season and now lead Conference USA.
• 5: Mary Martinez has not allowed an earned run in her last five appearances.
• 9: Jana Want is riding a nine game on base streak after two walks tonight.

Up next
Game 2 of the series will take place tomorrow, April 12, with first pitch set for 4:00 pm CT. The game will be streamed on ESPN+ and live stats will be available at Stat Broadcast.