Trojan Comeback Stalls against Demons

NATCHITOCHES, La. ? With the bases loaded and three outs to spare, The Troy Trojan softball team managed to squeeze across just one run as they fell 5-4 to Northwestern State in softball action at the Demon Diamond.

The Trojans (14-13, 1-2 SBC) put two on base to start the seventh inning with a Heidi Johnson single plus stolen base followed by a Jessica Lyle walk. NSU pitcher Sara Dornelas then hit Courtney Davis to load the bases with no outs and Troy still behind 5-3.

Three fielder's choices resulting in just one run scored and the game was over.

Northwestern State (5-19) got things started offensively, picking up two runs in the first inning on a Kelly Corliss double, giving the Demons an early 2-0 lead.

A single and an error by Troy shortstop Kala Moore put two runners in scoring position with no outs. Amanda Jameson singled to right field to plate both runners further padding the Northwestern State lead to 4-0.

Troy starting pitcher Cassie Lassiter walked the first batter she faced in the fourth inning and was lifted in favor of Ashlyn Williams.

Williams induced a foul out, but hit the next batter and an error by Davis, who had moved to second base, put runners on the corners with two outs. Williams hit another batter to load the bases and then walked Leslie Johnson to score a run pushing the Demon lead to 5-0.

Lassiter (now 3-4) tossed the first three innings, allowing four hits and two earned runs with two walks and two strikeouts. Williams (3.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 K, 1 BB) completed three perfect innings in relief.

Troy stalled again in the fifth with Moore and Kaitlin Kenney recording outs before the Trojan offense got going.

With two outs Hillary Hughes deposited Dornelas' offering beyond the right field fence and Johnson made it back-to-back with another shot to the right field bleachers to cut the Northwestern State lead to three runs at 5-2.

Johnson finished the day 3-for-3. Five other Trojans recorded hits and four posted RBI's.

Hughes made her first start at catcher, replacing injured junior Felicia Hammer, after starting the previous 26 games at second base. Senior Anna Tew made her first start of the season at second base.

Troy's next offensive output came when Kenney knocked in Tanya McLean to cut the lead to 5-3, but Troy stranded runners on second and third to end the sixth inning.

The Trojans now make the 109 mile trek northeast to Monroe, La. where they will face ULM for a three-game Sun Belt Conference series that begins on Saturday.

Troy University Athletics

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