MT Falls 4-2 to Jags in Day One of Tourney

Middle Tennessee won the doubles point to begin the match winning 2 of three. Freshman Chris Nowak and sophomore Joao Paoliello defeated Michael O'Brien and Aaron Krisan 8-2.

Then junior Morgan Richard and sophomore Marc Rocafort lost No. 1 doubles 8-5 to Jack Baker and R.J. Nagel.

The Blue Raiders clinched the point as freshmen John Peers and Richard Cowden defeated Robert Hodel and Marek Sramek 8-6.

Middle Tennessee continued the success into singles play as Paoliello defeated O'Brien 6-0, 6-1 to take a 2-0 lead in the match.

Then Nowak fell 6-1, 6-2 to Krisan in No. 6 singles as Sramek topped Richard 6-2, 6-1 to tie the match at 2.

No. 28 Baker won his match 6-5, 6-3 over Peers to give the Jaguars the lead. Then Cowden fell to Nagel in three sets 4-6, 6-2, 6-0 as South Alabama clinched the match. The Blue Raiders will be back in action on Sunday, April 6 when they face Arkansas-Little Rock in the third place match of the Sun Belt Shootout at 8:30 a.m. Admission to all home matches is free.

Singles
1. #28 Jack Baker (USAM) def. John Peers (MT) 6-5, 6-3
2. Marc Rocafort (MT) vs. Robert Hodel (USAM) 6-7, 4-3, unfinished
3. Marek Sramek (USAM) def. Morgan Richard (MT) 6-2, 6-1
4. R.J. Nagel (USAM) def. Richard Cowden (MT) 4-6, 6-2, 6-0
5. Joao Paoliello (MT) def. Michael O'Brien (USAM) 6-0, 6-1
6. Aaron Krisan (USAM) def. Chris Nowak (MT) 6-1, 6-2

Doubles
1. Jack Baker/R.J. Nagel (USAM) def. Marc Rocafort/Morgan Richard (MT) 8-5
2. John Peers/Richard Cowden (MT) def. Robert Hodel/Marek Sramek (USAM) 8-6
3. Chris Nowak/Joao Paoliello (MT) def. Michael O'Brien/Aaron Krisan (USAM) 8-2

Match Notes:
Middle Tennessee 7-13; National ranking #68
Order of finish: Doubles (3,1,2); Singles (5,6,3,1,4,2)