NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Keaton Ray, who was hitless going into the eighth inning, dug in the box with the go-ahead run on third base for Middle Tennessee (19-22, 4-11 CUSA). With a 2-1 count, Vanderbilt (30-11, 11-7 CUSA) reliever Brennan Seiber delivered, and Ray bounced a high chopper into short right field for an RBI single to give the Blue Raiders a 4-3 lead. Ray's high chopper signified many of the high and low points the Blue Raiders have had this year, but it was perhaps the most fitting way to take the lead and secure a 5-3 win. The victory is the first win over a top-10 opponent since MTSU last beat then-No. 5 Vanderbilt in 2016.

While Ray drove in the go-ahead run in the eighth, it was a bittersweet return for MTSU shortstop Matt Wolfe, who redshirted at Vanderbilt last season and finished 2-for-3 with a double, walk and an important pair of runs scored early in the ballgame.

Eston Snider led off the game with a home run to left field, hammering a 1-2 slider for his fourth of the season. It was the first home run Vanderbilt starter Austin Nye has surrendered in 30-plus innings of work this season. Hayden Miller picked up his 20th RBI of the year on a groundout to first base that scored Wolfe, to make it 2-0.

Vanderbilt got on the board in the third inning, with its' first hit off Blue Raider starter Bryant Beranek leaving the yard for a two-out solo shot that cut the Middle Tennessee lead in half at 2-1 heading into the fourth.

Middle Tennessee responded with a two-out RBI of its' own on a single to left field by Hayden Miller, his second RBI of the evening, to score Wolfe for the second time to make it 3-1. Wolfe was able to swim the tag of Vanderbilt catcher Mac Rose on the throw that came in on one hop from left field. The RBI spelled the end of the line for Nye, who gave up three earned runs on five hits in 3.2 innings.

Middle Tennessee starter Bryant Beranek allowed just two baserunners in 4.0-plus innings and gave way to left-hander Cole Torbett with a runner on first and nobody out in the Commodore fifth. Torbett escaped the fifth unscathed, but Vanderbilt was able to tie it 3-3 in the sixth. The left-hander did get Mike Mancini to go down looking to leave the go-ahead run on third base.

Vanderbilt got a pair of base hits to start the seventh and Ethan Imbimbo came out of the bullpen for MTSU. With the go-ahead run in scoring position and nobody out, Imbimbo skated through the seventh inning without allowing a run to keep it tied up going into the eighth.

Following Ray's RBI in the eighth inning that scored Tyler Minnick from third, Ray came in to score on a wild pitch after Wolfe's final hit of the evening that moved Ray to third. Minnick had also advanced to third on a pair of wild pitches earlier in the inning.

Eston Snider finished the night with a pair of extra-base hits, doubling in the ninth to go with his leadoff home run. Tyler Minnick reached base three times and scored a run.

Imbimbo faced the top of the Vanderbilt order in the ninth and stranded the tying run on first and struck out the go-ahead run to earn his first win of the season.

By the Numbers
3: Middle Tennessee has now defeated three ranked opponents on the season following tonight's win. The Blue Raiders also have wins against a 20th-ranked Western Kentucky and a 15th-ranked Dallas Baptist.
4.0: Innings pitched is a new season-high for Blue Raider starter Bryant Beranek.
5.0: Innings pitched with just one earned run given up by the Blue Raider bullpen.

The Skipper Speaks (Jerry Meyers)
"We focused on today and played the game the right way with the right demeanor, the right make-up and competed," said Middle Tennessee Head Coach Jerry Meyers. "After we didn't get it done on the road this past weekend, we came out ready to play today. I didn't expect anything different. Once we broke the ice and Eston (Snider) got us going and we had some other really good at-bats, I think it helped us settle in. We talk about character all the time. It's easy to have something bad happen and go 'well, we aren't supposed to win this game,' but our guys kept playing. We've faced some adversity, but I think today showed us that we can battle through it."    

Player Perspective (R-SO Matt Wolfe)
"I don't like to put price tags on any opponent we play, but this one was definitely a little more special for me and those guys in there," Wolfe said. "It was really special and great to see those guys (that play for Vanderbilt). I didn't get to play here the past few years, so coming here and winning felt really good. I left on good terms so it was great to see everyone and it was just really special."

Up Next
Middle Tennessee will head out of town for a three-game set with New Mexico State for its' penultimate CUSA road series. First pitch from Las Cruces is set for 6:00 p.m. CDT Friday evening.