Troy University Athletics
Flinn Tosses No-Hitter; Troy Sweeps A-Sun Rival Mercer
4/19/2005 12:00:00 AM | Softball
TROY, Ala. - Senior Pitcher Kacie Flinn pitched a no-hitter and Senior Catcher Tamra Howren hit two home runs to lead the Trojans to a sweep of Atlantic Sun Conference Foe Mercer. Flinn took a perfect game into the top of the seventh of game one before giving up a walk to the Bears' leadoff batter of the inning.
I can't say enough about our pitching staff and the performance Kacie (Flinn) gave tonight,” said Troy Head Coach Melanie Davis. We had timely hitting to give Kacie an early lead in game one and our defense was very impressive in both games as we committed no errors on the day.”
Troy started their offense early in game one as Howren singled to center to reach base with two outs. Howren advanced to second on a wild pitch then scored on a Brittany Krbec single up the middle. After one the Trojans held a 1-0 lead.
Sophomore rightfielder Stacey Dwyer led-off the top of the third with a double to left-center. Senior firstbaseman Bonnie Belin then singled to drive in Dwyer and give the Trojans a two run lead after three innings.
That would be all Troy would need as Kacie Flinn retired the first 18 batters she faced. In the game Flinn allowed only two baserunners going seven innings striking out six. With the victory Flinn improved her record to 16-7 on the season.
I was really focused tonight on doing well to be strong for my team,” said Flinn. I had amazing defense behind me all night so that made it easier to pitch well.”
Mercer started the scoring in game two of the doubleheader. Designated player Jamie Madruga grounded out to second with runners on second and third to allow firstbaseman Meghan Clark to score giving Mercer a 1-0 lead in the top of the first.
The Bears added another run in the top of the third when leftfielder Kerri Ryskamp homered to left-center. After two and a half inning Mercer held a 2-0 lead over Troy.
Troy answered in its half of the third when Tamra Howren homered to centerfield with Stacey Dwyer on first to tie the game at two. The Trojans added two more runs in the bottom of the fourth when Dwyer singled to score shortstop Caurie Miller. Dwyer eventually scored on a Krbec single to third base. After four complete innings the Trojans held a 4-2 lead.
Howren added her second home run of the game in the bottom of the sixth inning to give the Trojans an insurance run. The final score would be 5-2 as the Trojans swept the Bears of Mercer on the day.
I was seeing the ball extremely well today and I was trying my best to be relaxed in the box,” said Howren. When I get tense I swing at bad pitches so relaxing in the box was big for me today.”
Flinn would pick up her second win of the day to improve her record to 17-7 on the season. Sophomore Jocelyn McCallum pitched two innings of relief to pick up the save, her first of the season. Michelle Grinage got the start going two and a one-third innings giving up only one hit and striking out two.
The Trojans improved their record to 38-16 on the season with the two wins. The Trojans, having already clinched a berth in the A-Sun Softball Championship, moved to 15-1 in conference play. Troy will head to Florida to take on Florida Atlantic and Central Florida in a pair of doubleheaders Friday and Sunday in Boca Raton and Orlando respectively.
-TROJANS-
