MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (Interstat) — Middle Tennessee scored three runs in the first inning and added three more in the fourth to defeat Western Kentucky 7-1 in a Conference USA game Friday afternoon at Reese Smith Jr. Field.

David Horn pitched six innings for the Blue Raiders, allowing two hits and no earned runs while striking out seven to earn the win. Nathan Brewer went 3 for 5 with three RBIs to lead the Middle Tennessee offense. The Blue Raiders improved to 23-23 overall, while the Hilltoppers fell to 24-22.

Western Kentucky’s only run came on a solo home run by Cael Frost in the ninth inning. Frost finished 1 for 3 with the home run and an RBI.

The Hilltoppers took an early lead in the top of the first when A. Haller walked, but the threat ended when H. Robbins lined into a double play. Middle Tennessee answered quickly in the bottom half. Owen Nowak singled, Layne Akers singled and Cooper Clapp singled to drive in Nowak. Tyler Minnick was hit by a pitch to load the bases, and Nathan Brewer singled to score Akers. Dean O’Neill then grounded into a fielder’s choice that brought home Clapp, giving Middle Tennessee a 3-0 lead.

Western Kentucky got a runner to second base in the second inning when Camden Ross doubled, but consecutive flyouts and a strikeout ended the inning.

Middle Tennessee extended its lead in the fourth. Clay Badylak doubled and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by Owen Nowak. Badylak scored on a wild pitch. Cooper Clapp walked and Tyler Minnick reached on an error, putting two runners aboard. Nathan Brewer then singled to left field, driving in Minnick and Clapp to make it 6-0.

The Blue Raiders added another run in the sixth. Tyler Minnick doubled, Nathan Brewer singled and Dean O’Neill drove in Minnick with a fielder’s choice.

Western Kentucky’s pitching staff was led by Gage Olsen, who went 4 1/3 innings, allowing no hits and two earned runs with seven strikeouts. Sam Frizzi threw 1 1/3 scoreless innings with two strikeouts, and Zach Serup pitched a scoreless inning.

For Middle Tennessee, John Michael Pickens threw 1 2/3 innings, allowing one hit and no earned runs with two strikeouts. Bryant Beranek pitched 1 1/3 innings, giving up one hit and one earned run with two strikeouts.

The game was the first of a three-game series between the two Conference USA rivals. Western Kentucky had won three of its previous four games entering the contest, while Middle Tennessee was looking to snap a two-game losing streak.

The most critical sequence came in the bottom of the first, when Middle Tennessee strung together four hits and capitalized on a hit batter to score three runs and seize control. The Blue Raiders never trailed after that outburst.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Western Kentucky 6, Middle Tennessee 5, and Interstat’s ELO system gave the Hilltoppers a 65.10 percent probability to win.