Troy University Athletics
TROY Falls To Auburn At Home, 3-2
3/2/2005 12:00:00 AM | Softball
TROY, Ala. - The Troy University Softball Team dropped its second consecutive game against a Southeastern Conference opponent when it fell to the Auburn Tigers 3-2 Wednesday night at the Lady Trojan Softball Complex. The loss was bittersweet for coach Melanie Davis, whose offense rang up six hits against the Tigers.
I'm extremely proud of how our girls fought throughout the contest,” said Davis. We had our opportunities, one clutch hit here, one pitch there, and the outcome certainly could have been different.”
The Trojans out-hit the Tigers 6-2 but three costly errors by Troy's defense gave Auburn the victory. Catcher Tamra Howren got back on track offensively as she earned her fourth home run of the season and centerfielder Jenny Boyd had two hits and drove in one in the defeat.
It was awesome to start hitting, because that has been what we have lacked in the past couple of games,” said Boyd. We had more hits than Auburn did, but to beat a team like Auburn you cannot commit three errors.”
Auburn opened up the scoring in the game when the Tiger's Kristina McCain singled with the bases loaded in the top of the third to score Ashley Griffin. The Trojans were able to get the final out before Auburn could do any more damage and the Tigers led 1-0 after two and a half innings.
Troy tied the score in the bottom of the third when Jenny Boyd doubled to right-center to score junior leftfielder Paige Foster. Foster reached base on a walk and scored from first on Boyd's double. After three full innings the score was tied at one run apiece.
The Tigers responded in the top of the fourth when first baseman Paige Jones homered to left-center to give Auburn a 2-1 lead. The Tigers added another run in the top of the fifth when Trojan pitcher Jocelyn McCallum, who entered the game in relief of starter Kacie Flinn, was called for an illegal pitch with the bases loaded. The run would prove to be the difference maker in the game.
Tamra Howren's home run came in the bottom of the fifth inning to make the score 3-2. Troy loaded the bases in the bottom of the sixth for Boyd who hit into a fielder's choice as sophomore Brooke Powell was thrown out at second for the third out of the inning. The Trojans threatened again in the bottom of the seventh but the Tigers survived to take the game 3-2.
With the loss Troy falls to 13-5 on the season. Auburn improves its record to 19-5. Kacie Flinn's record now stands at 4-3 while Auburn's Beth DiPietro was credited with the win improving her record to 9-1. The Tiger's Holly Currie was credited with the save giving her two on the season. Flinn and McCallum combined to pitch a two-hitter as they struck out ten Tiger batters.
Both Troy and Auburn will head to Marietta, Ga. this weekend to take part in the 2005 Georgia Tech Buzz Classic. The tournament is composed of four pools and boasts such teams as Auburn, Mississippi State, Iowa, and Purdue.
-TROJANS-
