Troy University Athletics
Troy Defeats FAU To Advance To Championship Of A-Sun
5/13/2005 12:00:00 AM | Softball
BOCA RATON, Fla. - The Trojans defeated reigning Atlantic Sun Tournament Champions Florida Atlantic 4-1 to advance to the A-Sun Championship game for the first time in four years. Sophomore Jocelyn McCallum was dominant from the circle once again and catcher Tamra Howren belted her 23rd home run of the season to beat the home town Owls.
Florida Atlantic opened up the scoring in the game when first baseman Pam Mazzaralla hit a solo home run to right to brake the scoreless tie in the bottom of the first. After one inning the Owls held a 1-0 lead.
FAU's Meghan Doonan took a no-hitter into the top of the fourth when Troy center fielder Jenny Boyd singled to right to notch the Trojans' first hit. Howren then broke the shut out with Troy's second hit of the game, a home run to straightaway center. After three and a half innings the Trojans held a 2-1 lead.
Troy added another run in the top of the fifth when junior Denise Vera scored on a squeeze play. Shortstop Caurie Miller laid down the sacrifice bunt to bring Vera home. Vera was pinch-hit for by Amanda Ragans who walked and then Vera re-entered to run the bases. Sophomore Brooke Powell hit a single to right to advance Vera to second and then she reached third on a passed ball to set up Miller.
While still in the fifth Michelle Grinage pinch-ran for Powell and advanced to second on the passed ball and on to third on the squeeze play. Jenny Boyd then hit a single to shallow center to drive in Grinage. Right fielder Stacey Dwyer then hit an infield single to the pitcher to put a runner on second and third for the Trojans. However the Owls managed to get out of the inning without allowing anymore damage. After four and a half innings the Trojans held a 4-1 lead.
That would be all the Trojans would need as Troy took the game 4-1. The Trojans advance to the A-Sun Championship game on Saturday, May 14th at FAU Field. Jocelyn McCallum got the start for the Trojans going seven innings giving up only one run striking out 13.
Troy moves to 47-19 on the season and McCallum improves her record to 20-8 on the year.
-TROJANS-
