MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - Middle Tennessee baseball has landed 17 players from the expected 2014 roster in summer-league action. Several Blue Raiders joined their respective teams last week, while others will begin action throughout June.
Among those making an early splash in summer ball are seniors Trent Miller and Jake Ellison, each putting on a show during opening week.
Miller has started five games at either first base or designated hitter for the Edenton Steamers. The Kansas City, Mo., native is hitting .333, including a five-RBI performance in an 11-2 win over the Peninsula Pilots on Saturday. Miller finished that contest a triple shy of the cycle.
Ellison also went deep in his team's 7-2 victory over Duluth on Sunday. He launched a three-run homer in the sixth to break open what was a 3-1 ball game at the time. Ellison finished with four RBI on the day.
In addition to Miller and Ellison, Nathan Foriest has also experienced early-season success with his Florence RedWolves. The junior southpaw has yet to allow an earned run in two appearances for the Red Wolves, including a start against HP Thomasville in which he struck out four batters in four innings of work.
Action begins this week for seven more Blue Raiders. Among those are incoming junior transfers Ryan Aper and Jake Ingold, who will join senior Zac Curtis on June 4 as members of the Brazos Valley Bombers.
2012 Sun Belt Freshman of the Year and Freshman All-American Johnathan Frebis will play for the Harwich Mariners of the Cape Cod League. Frebis and the Mariners are set to begin action on June 12, the latest start of the 17 Blue Raiders in summer ball.
