Troy University Athletics
Trojans Sweep the Billikens
2/18/2007 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
TROY Ala.- The Trojans used an RBI single by Shohei Fujita in the bottom of the ninth to steal the game and sweep the Billikens by a score of 10-9.
The Trojans (5-2) had to play catch-up all day as they did not have the lead in the game until it was over.
Head coach Bobby Pierce was pleased with his team's performance and desire.
"I am very proud of our teams desire to not quit," Pierce said. "We kept chipping away and found a way to win and thats what we have to keep doing."
The Billikens (0-3) jumped out early with a Casey Moore two-run home run in the first inning and added another run to take an early 3-0 lead.
The Trojans answered right back with a two-run homer from senior Clint Robinson. Robinson was 3-for-5 on the day with two home runs and four RBI.
The Billikens used a six-run fourth inning to extend their lead to 9-3.
Pitchers Ricky Ibarz and Nate Duhe had troubles as they combined to give up seven hits and nine runs. Jeff Green came on and struck out five of the seven batters he faced before yielding to Rob Brown (1-0) who pitched the final two innings allowing one hit and striking out one.
Troy answered again in the fourth inning with a run of their own. Brett Pierce doubled down the left field line and scored on an RBI single by Ian Craze.
Junior Charlie Calamia led off the sixth inning with a home run to close the gap to 9-5. Craze reached on another single and stole second for his fifth stolen base of the year. Brett Henry singled to left field scoring Craze. Robinson came up and belted a ball to left field for his second home run of the day pulling the Trojans to within one run at 9-8.
A triple by Craze led off the bottom half of the eighth inning. Steven Felix doubled down the right field line scoring Craze and tying up the game. Henry then singled up the middle but Josh Dew hit into a double play to end the threat.
In the ninth inning Saturday's hero, Kevin Weidlich, reached base on a throwing error by short stop Ziggy Moore, and advanced to second as the throw went into the Saint Louis dug-out. Fujita hit a 3-2 fastball up the middle to score Grant Luke, who pinch ran for Weidlich. It was Fujita's first hit of his career at Troy and it couldn't have come at a better time.
"We were glad to see Shohei get his first hit," Pierce said. "This game took everybody and we are glad to get the sweep against a very good Saint Louis team."
The Trojans pounded out 18 hits off of five Billiken pitchers. Eric Mueller (0-1) took the loss for the Billikens.
Craze, Robinson, Henry and Weidlich each had three hits. Felix went 2-for-4 with an RBI.
Troy will be back in action on Tuesday as they will travel Auburn to play their third SEC opponent of the season.
First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.
