Troy University Athletics
Trojans Bounce Back To Take 13-8 Win Over Arkansas
2/10/2007 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
TROY, Ala. -- After spotting visiting Arkansas five first-inning runs, the Troy University baseball team rallied quickly behind three-run homers from a pair of seniors to take a 13-8 victory over the Razorbacks in the second game of a three-game weekend series at Riddle-Pace Field.
The Razorbacks (3-2) looked as if they would pick up where they left off Friday night. Sean Jones and Logan Forsythe got on for Danny Hamblin to blast a three-run home run over the left field fence before the Trojans realized what was going on. The Trojans Ben woods made an error in right field that gave the Razorback two more runs.
The Trojans (1-1), however, had different plans. Troy answered right back in the bottom half of the inning with three runs of their own. Senior Ian Craze and sophomore Brett Henry started the inning off with walks before senior Clint Robinson belted a Shaun Seibert fastball over the wall in center field closing the gap to 5-3.
The Trojans continued in their hot hitting in the second when Stephan Richards (0-1) came on in relief for Seibert. A lead off walk proved to be costly as Trevor Tyre was put on base and then scored on sophomore Beau Brooks' first career triple. Craze reached base after striking out but a wild pitch put Craze on first and scored Brooks.
Craze stole second and scored on a Henry single but the Trojans were not finished. Troy put one more on base for senior Ben Woods who drove a 2-1 fastball into Pierces' Posse in left field to put the Trojans up 10-5.
Senior Joe Hallahan (1-0) provided the Trojans with another solid pitching performance going five innings allowing seven runs with five being earned. Hallahan also struck out four while walking two.
"Joe pitched a great game," head coach Bobby Pierce said. "He got better as the game went on and we swung the bats today which helped our pitchers."
Pierce was excited about how his team bounced back after losing the way they did last night.
"I was glad to see us come back today and play good," Pierce said. "We never let up and we have a great chance to win the series tomorrow against a quality opponent in Arkansas."
The Razorbacks threatened in the eighth when senior Josh Dew gave up two hits and a run but he closed the door as he struck out Jones with the bases loaded the end the threat.
The Trojans were able to add some insurance runs in the eighth when Henry drew another lead off walk. Robinson was hit by a pitch moving Henry to second. Brett Pierce came in and perfectly executed a sacrifice bunt moving both runners into scoring position. Junior Bryan Miller hit a ball deep to center that looked to have been caught by Ben Tschepikow but it was not ruled a catch and Miller never slowed down as he pulled into third with a stand-up triple.
The Trojans pitching staff avenged last night struggles with a solid performance today. Junior Ryan Ellison came on in relief for Hallahan and threw two innings only allowing two hits and striking out four. Dew came on closing the door to get his first save of the season.
Henry was 2-for-3 at the plate while freshman Matt Tanzi was 2-for-3 with three RBI..
For the Razorbacks Tim Smalling and Brian Walker led the way with two hits each.
The Trojans and Razorbacks will return for the rubber match on Sunday.
First pitch is set for 1 p.m.
