Troy University Athletics
Revenge Denied
2/21/2009 6:00:00 AM | Softball
Columbia, SC - The Troy Trojans softball team knocked off the UT Chattanooga Lady Mocs for the second time this season on Saturday afternoon.
The Trojans won the first meeting 14-2 and posted 23 hits against the Lady Mocs in Chattanooga. This game started with the Trojans getting on board first and early, much like the previous meeting. The Trojans posted 10 hits on the Lady Mocs, and won the game 8-3.
The Trojans scored first in the game, improving them to 9-0 on the season when that occurs.
"This game is about confidence and operating under pressure," Trojans head coach Melanie Davis said. "If you can get the lead it takes pressure off of the remainder of your teammates, the offense and the pitching. It's one of our goals that we set before every game is to score first."
Hillary Hughes started things off with a double to lead off the game. Kaitlin Kenney moved her to third with a single, and a Heidi Johnson ground out scored Hughes. Rocky Paige moved Kenney home with a ground out, and Ashley Adkins scored the third run pinch running for Hayden Gann after a walk.
The Lady Mocs (5-9) managed to post an unearned run in the bottom half of the inning, but it was their only run of the game until their comeback attempt failed after two runs scored in the bottom of the seventh.
The Trojans (9-4) posted three runs in the fifth inning to cushion their lead. Kenney was put on base by a walk, and Johnson joined her on the bases with a single. A wild pitch moved Kenney to third, and Johnson later stole second. Kenney scored on a throwing error when the Lady Mocs attempted to stop the Johnson steal, and Paige drove in Johnson on the next at bat with a single. A Gann double moved Paige around the bases and home for the third run of the inning.
"We're really excited to see Rocky Paige build on her batting average," Davis said. "She had a two RBI double yesterday that helped us win the game against Sacred Heart, and she swung the bat well today as well. We're really glad to Rocky on track, and playing great defense at first too."
The Trojans added two runs in the top of the seventh and final inning when Gann sent her first career Trojan home run over the center field wall. Gann's home run also scored Paige for the eighth run of the game.
"We knew when we recruited Hayden out of Hoover, Alabama we knew that she swung a very good bat and had a lot of natural power," Davis said. "She's battled through an injury through the summer, and she missed all of the fall training. She missed part of January with a strained muscle. We knew it was just a matter of trying to get her healthy. She came through in big fashion, and I'm very happy for her. That home run should be one of many she'll have over her four year career at Troy."
Allison Moore (2-1) started the game on the mound for the Trojans and went the distance. Moore posted a complete game win with eight strikeouts. Moore only walked one batter in the game.
"I'm really proud of Allison Moore," Davis said. "This was her first complete game win, and I though she stayed very disciplined and had great control of the game for the entire contest. She did her job to get tough outs, and we're looking for her to continue to be a force on our pitching staff."
The Trojans will face the hosting South Carolina Gamecocks on Sunday at 1 pm.
