Troy University Athletics
Trojans Season Comes to an End with Loss
6/2/2007 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
OXFORD, Miss.- For the second straight day the Trojans shot themselves in the foot with three critical errors as they fell to Sam Houston State 5-4 in an elimination game in the Oxford Regional.
We came out exactly how we wanted to today,? assistant coach Mark Smartt said. Our defense let us down today but we never quit and that showed in the ninth inning.?
The Trojans were able to mount a rally and get two runners on with no outs in the top of the ninth but could only manage to get one runner around. Pinch-hitter Beau Brooks singled to start the inning followed by a walk to freshman Steven Felix. Senior Clint Robinson singled up the middle scoring Brooks closing the lead to 5-4 but that as close as the Trojans would get.
Troy (34-27) got on the board in the first inning when senior Edgar Ramirez hit his 12th home run over the wall in left center giving the Trojans the early 1-0 lead.
Troy extended its lead to 3-0 in the top of the third inning when Ramirez singled to left and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Senior Clint Robinson singled to right scoring Ramirez. Senior Josh Dew singled moving Robinson to third with sophomore Trevor Tyre picking up the RBI on a sacrifice fly.
SHSU (39-23) knotted the score at 3-3 in the home half of the third inning. Clint Mann led off with a single followed with another single form Keith Stein. Mann scored on an RBI double from Bobby Verbick. After an RBI sacrifice fly from Karl Krailo and a RBI single form Austin Boggs, the Bearkats and the Trojans were tied.
Senior Joe Hallahan (5-7) took the loss on the hill in his final collegiate outing for the Trojans. He threw six innings allowing five runs (three earned) on eight hits. Hallahan walked one batter and struck out two. Dew came on in relief throwing the final three innings walking one batter and struck out one.
We are very proud of Joe and they way he pitched,? Smartt said. I just hate we didn't play they way we should behind him.?
Jesse Marshall got the start on the mound but did not factor in the decision. He tossed 3 2/3 innings giving up three runs on six hits. Stephen Price (1-0) hurled 2 2/3 innings keeping the Troy hitters off-balance as he walked one and struck out two. Luke Prihoda (18) came in to close out the game in his normal fashion as he threw the final 2 2/3 innings giving up one hit and walked one batter.
Ramirez led the Trojans at the plate with two hits and an RBI with Robinson collecting two hits and two RBI.
Coach Pierce and I are very proud of where our program is, especially playing in back-to-back regionals,? Smartt said. Without these seniors, we are nowhere near here and this group will be remembered for a long time for what they have done to get us here and we will be back next year looking to get back to the post-season.?
The Trojans ended their season at 34-27. The loss was the final game for 10 Trojan seniors. Ramirez, Robinson, Dew, Hallahan, Clegg Snipes, Ricky Ibarz, Kevin Weidlich, Matt Carlo, Ben Woods, and pitcher Bert Elliot were the members of the 2007 senior class.
