NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Nicholas Stafford evened the match at 1-1 with a win (6-2, 6-3) at No. 4 singles, but the Tennessee Tech men's tennis team could not pull the upset as No. 64 Middle Tennessee State defeated the Golden Eagles, 6-1.

With the loss, Tech evens its record at 2-2 on the season with both of its losses coming against nationally ranked opponents. MTSU is now 3-8 on the season.

The Golden Eagles looked like they might jump ahead early and steal the doubles point as Oscar Pachon and Arturo Santa Ruize teamed to defeat Shaun Waters and Richard Cowden, 8-2, in No. 3 doubles. However, MTSU rallied to win both No. 1 and No. 2 doubles matches to capture the point.

After Stafford evened the match at 1-1 and improved his personal record to 3-1 this dual-meet season, Middle Tennessee State rattled off wins in each of the next five matches.

Josh Peers defeated TTU's Alex Chen (6-2, 6-2) at No. 1 singles, while Josh Girling (No. 2; 7-5, 6-3) and Justin Kirstein (No. 3; 7-5, 7-5) also fell in straight sets to secure the win for the Blue Raiders.

Tech now sets its sights on its first OVC match of the season when Jacksonville State comes to nearby Fairfield Glade for a 1 p.m. contest.