Trojans Salvage Win against New Orleans

Sunday, March 30

Troy, Ala.

1:00 PM

Troy University

New Orleans

3/30/2008 5:00:00 AM | Baseball

TROY, Ala. - The Trojans avoided getting swept at home by New Orleans with an 11-7 win Sunday afternoon at Riddle-Pace Field.

“This was a good job by our team to come back today and avoid the sweep,” coach Bobby Pierce said. “We came out and swung the bats and did what we needed to for us to get the win.”

For the third straight game, New Orleans scored in the top of the first inning when Ryan Eden drew a lead-off walk. T.J. Baxter singled to center field and Eden scored on a ground-out to the pitcher for the 1-0 lead.

Jeff Lanning hit a Ryan Ellison fastball over the monster in right field giving UNO the 2-0 advantage.

Troy got on the board in the bottom of the second inning when Daryl Otwell was plunked in the back by a Stephen Whalen pitch. He advanced to third on a double to left field off the bat of Lance Miller. Bryan Miller grounded out to second base plating the runner from third. Adam Bryant followed with an RBI double off of the fence in left field moving the Trojans past UNO, 3-2.

New Orleans knotted the game at 3-3 in the top of the fourth inning when Eden doubled off of the wall and scored on a RBI groundout by Butler.

Troy reclaimed the lead in the bottom of the fourth inning when Bryan Miller started off the inning with a single to center. Steven Felix followed that by hitting his first career home run over the wall in right field. Felix hit a 2-1 fastball just inside the foul pole giving Troy the 5-3 advantage.

The Trojans broke out of their shell in the bottom of the sixth inning with five runs in the frame. Bryan Miller started the scoring with a single through the left side. Bryant followed with a walk and Felix reached on a fielder's choice. A throwing error by Allan Harris moved the runners up allowing Miller to score. Bart Pettus singled through the left side plating another run for Troy. Felix stole home on the back side of a pick-off attempt. Michael Precise doubled to left center plating two more runs and giving the Trojans the 10-4 lead.

UNO added another run in the seventh and two runs in the eighth cutting the lead to 10-7.

Otwell also hit his first career home run in the contest with a ball over the wall in left center in the bottom of the eighth inning giving the Trojans the final score, 11-7.

Ellison got the start for the Trojans going four innings as he struck out eight batters and allowed four runs on seven hits. Drew Hull (3-0) got the win in relief as he gave up one run on two hits.

Closer Josh Storm (6) got the save going the final thee innings of five hit baseball. He allowed two run and struck out two batters.

Bryan Miller led the Trojans at the plate with three hits. Felix and Otwell each chipped in two RBI.

The Trojans will hit the road for a mid-week series against Southern Miss. First pitch is set for Tuesday night at 6 pm.