Trojans Take Series from Arkansas State

Saturday, April 5

Troy, Ala.

6:00 PM

Troy University

Arkansas State

4/5/2008 5:00:00 AM | Baseball

TROY, Ala.- The Troy Trojans used the long ball as they beat Arkansas State 7-4 and take the series Saturday night at beautiful Riddle-Pace Field.

“This is one of the better games that we have played in a while,” head coach Bobby Pierce said. “We played this game with a championship attitude and I am proud of our effort.”

Bryan Miller and Steven Felix paced the Trojan attack with three hits each. Miller had two RBI on two doubles and a home run. Michael Precise posted four RBI on two hits in the game.

“We are starting to hit the ball well as a team,” Miller said. “I'm just glad to be hitting the ball the way that I am and I am doing my best to help the team win.”

Miller led off the bottom of the first inning with a double to left center. He moved to third on a fly out from Steven Felix and scored on a sacrifice fly from Michael Precise giving the Trojans the early 1-0 lead.

Troy extended its lead in the second inning when Josh Blackwell singled to left field after fouling off three consecutive pitches. Adam Bryant followed with a double off the wall in right field. Bart Pettus singled to shortstop plating Blackwell from third for the 2-0 advantage.

Arkansas State cracked the goose egg in the third inning when they scored a run on a RBI single off the bat of Ryan Hudgins.

The Indians knotted the game at 2-2 in the top of the fourth inning. Brandon Eller doubled off of the wall in right field and scored on a double down the line in left by Cade Baxter.

The Trojans put three runs on the board in the fifth inning on three hits. Miller hit his second double of the game off the wall in right. Felix followed with a double to right field that the left fielder lost in the sky. Michael Precise belted a ball over the fence in left field for his fifth home run of the season and giving the Trojans the 5-2 lead.

The Trojans struck again in the sixth inning with the long ball. Pettus led off with a walk and touched the plate on a home run off the bat of Miller. It was his second bomb of the year putting the Trojans up 7-2.

Jacob Maggard (3-3) got roughed up in his seventh start of the year. He lasted five innings and gave up seven runs on 12 hits. He walked one and struck out two while giving up the two home runs.

Travis Burge (5-3) got the win on the hill for the Trojans. He gave up four runs on 10 Indian hits in six and a third innings of work.

Neal Jordan tossed the next inning and a third and gave up three hit before handing the ball over to the closer.

Josh Storm (7) picked up another save as he tossed the final inning and struck out two of the three batters he faced.

“It would be nice to get a sweep at home but we also know that they (Arkansas State) are a good team,” Pierce said. “We will need a good game from Ryan Ellison but we also know that we will get their best shot.”

The Trojans will go for the sweep tomorrow afternoon in the final game of the series. First pitch is set for 1 pm.