TROY -- Top-seeded Middle Tennessee avenged a season sweep and an earlier Sun Belt Conference Tournament loss to Louisiana when the Blue Raiders eliminated the Ragin' Cajuns from Lafayette 6-2 Saturday afternoon.

An opportunistic start on offense and a bullpen by committee sent the Raiders (42-16) into today's 10 a.m. championship game against either Louisiana-Monroe or Western Kentucky at Riddle-Pace Field.

Middle Tennessee came out of the losers' bracket with consecutive wins over Louisiana after the Cajuns beat them 5-4 on Thursday. The Raiders stayed alive with a 17-8 win on Friday. Louisiana ended its season 27-30-1.

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By Ken Rogers, Dothan Eagle, Ala.