MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Middle Tennessee softball defeated Memphis 8-7 on March 26 in Memphis, Tenn.

The Blue Raiders (14-19, 3-6) jumped out to an early lead in the second inning on an RBI single from Lilly Pendergrast that scored Julia Garcia. The Tigers (14-19, 3-6) evened the score in the bottom of the inning, plating a run of their own.

In the following inning, Julia Garcia scored on an error by Memphis, putting the Blue Raiders back in front. However, the Tigers responded with a big inning, piling on runs to take a 5-2 lead heading into the fourth.

Middle Tennessee quickly answered. Macie Harter ripped a two-run triple, bringing home Addy Edgmon and Lilly Pendergrast to pull MTSU within one. Harter later scored on a passed ball, evening the game at five.

The score remained tied until the seventh inning, when Lexi Medlock smashed her fifth home run of the season over the right-field wall, driving in Emmaline Whitt, who was pinch-running. The Blue Raiders extended their lead to 8-5 after Ava Brooks scored on a Memphis error. The Tigers fought back in the bottom of the seventh, scoring twice to make it a nail-biter, but MTSU held on for the win.

Julia Garcia had a standout performance, reaching base in three of her four plate appearances and raising her on-base percentage to .406. Ava Tepe was hit by two pitches, increasing her season total to seven—more than double anyone else on the team and the most in Conference USA. The senior now has 34 career hit-by-pitches, just three shy of the program record.

Mary Martinez and Leila Ammon delivered strong performances in the circle, allowing just one earned run combined. Martinez pitched three innings and struck out three, while Ammon threw four innings and struck out four.

Reflecting on the team's performance, Lexi Medlock said, "We've all put in so much work and are letting the Lord lead us in the box, leaving it all up to Him. Our goal is to keep having fun and to play as one."

By the Numbers

• 34: The 2025 Blue Raiders have recorded 34 home runs as a team, closing in on the program record of 44 set last season.
• 10: Emmaline Whitt has entered as a pinch runner 14 times and has scored in 10 of those appearances.
• 34: Ava Tepe has been hit by 34 pitches in her career, just three away from the program record of 37.
• 3: With Macie Harter's triple, both she and Addy Edgmon now have three on the season, tying for the Conference USA lead.
• 15: The Blue Raiders have recorded a home run in 15 consecutive games.

 
Up next
Middle Tennessee returns home to host Kennesaw State for a Conference USA series this weekend. Due to expected rain, a doubleheader is scheduled for Friday, March 28, with first pitch in game one set for 4:00 p.m. The series finale is set for Saturday, with the start time dependent on the forecast. The games will be streamed on ESPN+, and live stats will be available on Stat Broadcast.