Blue Raiders host WKU for regular-season finale beginning Thursday

Published May. 15, 2013 1:32 p.m. ET

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MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - The Middle Tennessee baseball team is set to welcome WKU to Reese Smith Jr. Field for the final home series of the season beginning Thursday at 6 p.m.

WKU currently leads the all-time series with MT, 59-56. Earlier this year, the Blue Raiders were swept in Blowing Green in a three-game series, 6-5, 12-2 and 9-7.

Middle Tennessee (27-25, 11-16 SBC) is coming off a series victory against visiting ULM over the weekend. MT dropped game one, 11-3, before taking game two, 7-6, and game three, 5-4, in 10 innings.

On the mound for MT in game one will be Zac Curtis (5-4). Curtis looks to get back on track after a rough outing in game one over the weekend when he went 4.1 innings and gave up eight runs, five earned, on 11 hits and struck out eight. He has a team-leading 73 strikeouts this year with a 4.50 ERA.

Johnathan Frebis (5-5) gets the nod for game two. Frebis worked 6.1 innings on Saturday, giving up three runs, all earned, on 10 hits while striking out three. He brings a 5.46 ERA into this matchup.

Hunter Adkins (5-5) will make his final regular-season start against the Hilltoppers on Saturday. Adkins went 6.1 innings against ULM on Sunday surrendering three runs, all earned, on nine hits while striking out five. Adkins leads the squad with 81.1 innings pitched this year and carries a 4.43 ERA into the Saturday's finale.

Ryan Stephens' .332 average at the plate is good for first on the team and he has touched home 67 times this year. Trent Miller leads the team with seven home runs and has been the squad's leading RBI-getter with 45.

WKU (25-27, 13-14 SBC) is coming off a 7-6 victory during a mid-week matchup against Evansville. The Hilltoppers were swept by FAU over the weekend in Bowling Green falling, 7-2, 10-3 and 12-6.
Ryan Huck paces WKU at the plate with his .360 average this year. Huck has belted 13 home runs this season and has 46 RBI while crossing the plate 37 times.

Tanner Perkins (3-5) takes the mound for game one and brings a 5.06 ERA into this series. Andrew Edwards (5-3) will start game two on Friday. Edwards has a team-high 65 strikeouts this year and touts a 4.57 ERA. Saturday's starter is TBA.

SATURDAY FESTIVITIES

Senior Day - We will honor 14 seniors prior to the game, including Ryan Ford, Joey McClung, Jordan Cooper, Adam Perry, Aaron Hyder, Wes Robinson, Hunter Adkins, Daniel Palo, Brandon Hall, Dalton Henzman, Jordan Rorex, Johnny Thomas, Robert Lawrence and Dain McNabb.

Kid's Day at the Park - All children receive free admission for all children 12 and under. Inflatables will be located down 3rd base grass area. There will also be a post-game autograph session inside the stadium.

National Armed Forces Day - All active and retired military personnel and their families will receive free admission.