Troy University Athletics
Two Out Magic
2/25/2009 6:00:00 AM | Softball
BIRMINGHAM - Two outs in an inning with no runners on base seems like an improbable time to comeback from four runs down, but that's exactly how Troy's softball team did it on the road at Samford.
Troy Came from behind and beat the Bulldogs 8-5.
Samford (5-6) opened up a flood gate of scoring in the first inning when they pushed in five runs against the Trojans. Troy (10-5) was held to just one run through five innings, but the top of the sixth inning saw the Trojans march and rally for the lead with two outs and none on base.
"My biggest thought, I told Ashlyn (Williams) after she settled down that is she would shut them down I had a good feeling about the offense, and I felt like we could get those five runs back" Trojans head coach Melanie Davis said. "That's a lot to be said after the offensive woes we have had this season."
Williams shut the Bulldogs down, and Davis' feelings were right.
Heidi Johnson led off the top of the sixth inning with a ground out to Samford's pitcher. Rocky Paige followed with a stiff liner to the short stop, but a diving catch by the Bulldog's Amanda Jordan was out number two.
That's when the scoring party got started.
Hayden Gann was next up at the plate, and the graduate of nearby Hoover High School did not disappoint her hometown following of fans. Gann got on base to spark the comeback. Katie Ely came on to pinch run for Gann, and a Tasha Elmore double moved her to third.
Nikki Hollett and Felicia Hammer was the next two batters, and both were hit by a pitch.
The Trojans second run of the game walked across the plate, and the bases were loaded with two outs.
"I was really pleased with the way we swung the bats," Davis said. "It was a complete team effort. We had very critical, clutch hits and walks."
Freshman Sarah Shields came to the plate and singled to left center, scoring Hollett and Elmore and moving Hammer to second.
A Kala Moore walk re-loaded the bases, and Jackie Di Siervi walked to score another run.
A Heidi Johnson single to right field scored Shields and Moore before the inning came to a close.
Troy punched in six runs on three hits, and they did all of it still with two outs.
"It was just a great team effort to come from behind against a very scrappy Samford team," Davis said.
Troy had the lead in the seventh inning, but the Trojans added some insurance.
The Birmingham area native, Hayden Gann, led off the seventh for Troy, and her family and friends got what they all wanted to see.
Gann sent a homer over the left center wall to add the Trojans final run of the game.
"We're real pleased with Hayden," Davis said. "She came in against Auburn as a pinch hitter and had a big hit against them that ultimately chased their starter out of the game. She's built on that with good hits in the South Carolina tournament, and she just really broke here in her home town. Her family and friends were really excited about her efforts tonight, and we were confident she could get it done in the five hole of the lineup."
The Trojans will take their momentum home for the weekend as they host the Trojans Softball Classic.
