MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (Interstat) — Gavin Perry threw seven innings of no-hit baseball and Western Kentucky pounded out 14 hits in an 11-0 shutout of Middle Tennessee on Saturday afternoon at Reese Smith Jr. Field.

Perry, a pitcher for the Hilltoppers, struck out six batters and did not allow a hit or an earned run over seven innings. He walked one and faced two batters over the minimum in a dominant outing that turned the series finale into a rout. Perry’s no-hit bid ended when he exited after the seventh, and the Blue Raiders finished with five hits against Western Kentucky’s bullpen.

The Hilltoppers wasted no time seizing control. They sent 11 batters to the plate in a six-run first inning. A. Haller was hit by a pitch to start the game, and K. Hayes singled. Lane Arroyos singled to load the bases, and Camden Ross was hit by a pitch to force in the first run. Hayden Robbins’ sacrifice fly scored Hayes. Daniel Stewart doubled down the left-field line for a two-run single, and Reid Howard singled through the left side to score Ross. A bunt single by P. Coley was followed by an error by the pitcher that allowed two more unearned runs to score, making it 6-0 before Middle Tennessee recorded its first out.

Western Kentucky added a run in the second inning on an RBI double by Arroyos that scored Hayes. The Hilltoppers padded the lead in the fourth with three more runs. Hayes walked, advanced to second on a single by Ross and scored on Stewart’s single to center. Howard’s double to left field drove in Ross. The inning’s final run came on an error by the shortstop that allowed Stewart to score unearned. The Hilltoppers’ final run came in the fifth when Arroyos singled, advanced to third on a single by Ross and scored on a caught-stealing play in which Ross was thrown out at second.

Western Kentucky’s offense was balanced. Arroyos finished 4 for 5 with one RBI. Howard was 3 for 4 with two RBIs. Stewart was 2 for 4 with two RBIs. Ross was 2 for 4 with one RBI. Robbins was 1 for 2 with a sacrifice fly and one RBI. The Hilltoppers also executed two sacrifice hits.

Middle Tennessee’s pitching struggled to contain the attack. Starter Landen Burch allowed one hit and one earned run in 1 1/3 innings. Colin Kerrigan surrendered three hits and two earned runs over 1 2/3 innings. Mason Dobbs gave up four hits and one earned run in 2 2/3 innings. Joseph Cates tossed two-thirds of an inning and allowed one hit.

The Blue Raiders’ best scoring chance came in the fifth inning. After an error by the pitcher loaded the bases with one out, Brett Vondohlen singled, but the runners could only move up a base. Owen Nowak struck out and Brett Rogers grounded out to end the threat. Middle Tennessee managed only five hits in the game, all singles or doubles, and struck out eight times.

The win evened the weekend series after Middle Tennessee won the opener 7-1 on Friday. Western Kentucky improved to 25-22 overall, while Middle Tennessee fell to 23-24. The two teams conclude the series Sunday afternoon.

Perry’s performance was his second consecutive strong outing. On April 25 against Kennesaw State, he threw six innings, allowed seven hits and two earned runs, and struck out six in an 8-6 win.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Western Kentucky 6, Middle Tennessee 5. Interstat’s ELO system had projected Western Kentucky with a 63.70 percent probability to win.