Troy Handles ULM, 11-7

Friday, May 9

Monroe, La.

7:00 PM

Troy University

UL-Monroe

5/9/2008 5:00:00 AM | Baseball

MONROE, La.- Senior Bryan Miller led the Trojan attack with two home runs in a 11-7 win over Louisiana-Monroe Friday night at Warhawk Stadium.

“This was a good game for us to win tonight,” coach Bobby Pierce said. “We did everything tonight that we needed to do. We didn't finish the game like I wanted us to but everywhere else, we did what we had to do. We hit the ball well and played solid defensively.

Miller kept his hitting streak in tact with a third inning grand slam. Brock Kelley singled up the middle to begin the inning. Trevor Tyre followed with a single off the pitcher to reach. Bart Pettus singled through the right side scoring Kelley from third. Steven Felix walked to loaded the bases for Miller, who hit a 3-2 pitch over the wall in center field to give the Trojans the 5-0 early lead.

ULM got on the board with two runs in the bottom of the third inning when Matt Laird and Ben Soignier both singled and scored on a two-RBI triple from Kyle Surie to close the Troy lead to 5-2.

The Trojans answered right back with a run in the top of the fourth inning when Brett Henry doubled down the left field line and scored a single to right center by Kelley for the 6-2 advantage.

The Warhawks added two run in the fifth inning on a two-run homer off the bat of Soignier to close the gap to 6-4.

Michael Precise answered the ULM home run with a shot of his own with a home run over the scoreboard in left center to increase the Troy lead to 7-4.

The Trojans sent eight batters to the dish in the top of the eighth inning as the Trojans tacked on four more runs. Miller belted his second homer of the game with a solo shot deep to left center. Beau Brooks walked and Precise singled. Brett Henry reached on a bunt single but a throwing error from Josh Lett allowed Brooks to score. Tyre doubled to right center plating the runners and give Troy the 11-4 lead.

ULM added three runs in the bottom of the ninth on four hits and two walks for the 11-7 final.

Tim Wheeler (4-6) tossed eight solid innings against the Warhawks. He allowed only four runs on seven hits while walking one and striking out two.

Storm (10) tied the single season save record with his save in the ninth. He gave up one hit and struck a batter in a third of an inning.

“Timmy didn't start out as good as ha can but he settled down and got the win,” Pierce said. “I am proud of Storm to come in and get the save to tie the record. We didn't want to use him in this situation but he came in and did the job.”

Miller led the Trojans at the plate with three hits and five RBI. Precise, Kelley, Henry and Tyre each had two hits in the game.

Troy will try to win the series tomorrow afternoon when the two play the second game of the three game series. First pitch is slated for 4 pm.