MONROE, La.- Charley Williams and Brock Kelley each had a grand slam in a 24-6 whipping of Louisiana Monroe Saturday afternoon at Warhawk Stadium.
“This was an offensive performance that we have been waiting for,” coach Bobby Pierce said. “The 12-run inning was the best one that I have seen in a long time. We have put ourselves in a good position to sweep but we know that they will not quit.”
The Trojans opened a can in the top of the fifth inning with 12 runs in the frame. Brock Kelley, Trevor Tyre, and Adam Bryant all walked to begin the inning for Troy. Steven Felix singled in a run and Bryan Miller cleared the bases with his second triple of the season. Michael Precise singled in Miller from third and was followed with a walk to Beau Brooks and a single from Brett Henry to load the bases for Kelley. Kelley belted a ball deep over the fence in left field for the second grand slam of the weekend and his second bomb of the season. Precise added a two-RBI single in the inning as all but one player touched the plate in the inning to give Troy the 12-1 lead.
ULM's Matt Collins hit a two-RBI triple in the fifth and Jordy Pourche hit a solo home run to close the gap to 12-4
Troy quickly responded when Brooks hit a three run homer in the seventh inning to cap off a four run inning and to increase the lead to 16-4.
Ryam McMillan hit a solo home run in the seventh and Nick Margas scored to close the lead to 16-6
The Trojans weren't finished with putting runs on the board as they added eight more in the top of the eighth inning. Tyre reached base on an error and scored on Shohei Fujita's pinch hit home run. The homer was Fujita's first of the season. Bryant and Miller singled while Fleix reached after getting hit by a pitch to set the table for Williams. Williams crushed a ball over the batter's eye in centerfield for the second grand slam of the game. Troy would add two more in the frame for the 24-6 final.
Ryan Ellison (4-3) got the win on the hill for the Trojans as he tossed seven innings in the game. He allowed six runs on 15 ULM hits. He walked two while striking out four.
Rob Brown tossed the eighth inning and gave up a hit while walking one and striking out one.
Freshman A.J. Howard tossed the ninth inning and struck out two batters.
“We beat them big in a game last season and they came back and beat us the next day,” Pierce said. “We have to keep our foot on the gas pedal because they have a lot on the line tomorrow afternoon.”
Bryant led Troy at the dish with five hits. Williams and Kelley each had four RBI. Miller, Precise, Brooks, and Fujita each chipped in three RBI.
The Trojans will go for the sweep tomorrow afternoon. First pitch is set for 1 pm.
