Troy University Athletics
Wednesday, April 29
Troy
6:00 PM
Troy University
8
vs
13
Auburn
Auburn Spoils Morelock's Return
4/30/2009 2:45:00 AM | Baseball
TROY, Ala. ? Like the second verse from the same song, the Troy Trojans struggled again on Wednesday night against a power-hitting Auburn squad in a 13-8 loss to the Tigers.
Auburn swept the season series from Troy for the first time since 2005 and improved to 27-19 on the year with the win. The Trojans, who have lost five of their last six games, fall to 25-18 on the year.
“This game was a lot like last night,” Troy coach Bobby Pierce said. “We just couldn't get enough mounted offensively to get back into it.”
The Trojans had just four hits against six Auburn pitchers in the game, but the Trojans plated their first four runs without getting a hit thanks to nine walks, five hit batters and three wild pitches allowed by the Tigers hurlers.
Troy's first hit came in a four-run fourth inning on a high-chopper to third by Chad Watson with the bases loaded. Watson beat the throw to first, delivering the tying run.
But, like in Tuesday's 26-6 Auburn win, the Tigers answered after Troy knotted the score. Auburn scored eight runs in the fifth inning, chase Trojans starter Steven Morelock (0-1) and sending 14 batters to the plate.
Morelock, who made his first start in almost three years, acquitted himself well, working into the fifth inning and allowing six runs on eight hits. Two of those runs crossed the plate after he left the game.
Josh Storm finally put an end to the rally with consecutive strikeouts, but he surrendered a pair of two-run singles, one to Wes Gilmer and the other to Hunter Morris, before getting out of the inning.
Troy had chances to score in the game, but could never manage to get a big hit. The Trojans left the bases loaded in both the fourth and eighth innings and scored seven of their eight runs in those two frames.
After Troy scored three times in the eighth, cutting the deficit to five runs with the bases loaded. At that point the Tigers turned to SEC saves leader Austin Hubbard, who got Brett Henry to ground out to end the inning.
Hubbard finished off the game for the Tigers, earning his 10th save of the year. Junior Michael Hurst (4-0) was the fourth of six hurlers in the game for Auburn and got the victory. He worked three innings and allowed just one earned run while striking out three.
Six different Tigers had multiple hits in the game, led by Gilmer with three. Of the 16 hits, Auburn had 12 singles and four doubles, snapping the teams' streak of consecutive games with at least one homer at nine.
Troy's four hits included doubles by Miles Hoyle and Ryan Ditthardt.
“We did some decent things in the game, but we couldn't get it done when we needed it most,” Pierce said.
“We have exams this week and we have to get ready for a very good MTSU team this weekend. We will have to get some hits and defend well against a solid lineup.”
The Trojans and Blue Raiders will open their weekend series on Friday night at Riddle-Pace Field, with the first pitch scheduled 6 p.m.
Auburn swept the season series from Troy for the first time since 2005 and improved to 27-19 on the year with the win. The Trojans, who have lost five of their last six games, fall to 25-18 on the year.
“This game was a lot like last night,” Troy coach Bobby Pierce said. “We just couldn't get enough mounted offensively to get back into it.”
The Trojans had just four hits against six Auburn pitchers in the game, but the Trojans plated their first four runs without getting a hit thanks to nine walks, five hit batters and three wild pitches allowed by the Tigers hurlers.
Troy's first hit came in a four-run fourth inning on a high-chopper to third by Chad Watson with the bases loaded. Watson beat the throw to first, delivering the tying run.
But, like in Tuesday's 26-6 Auburn win, the Tigers answered after Troy knotted the score. Auburn scored eight runs in the fifth inning, chase Trojans starter Steven Morelock (0-1) and sending 14 batters to the plate.
Morelock, who made his first start in almost three years, acquitted himself well, working into the fifth inning and allowing six runs on eight hits. Two of those runs crossed the plate after he left the game.
Josh Storm finally put an end to the rally with consecutive strikeouts, but he surrendered a pair of two-run singles, one to Wes Gilmer and the other to Hunter Morris, before getting out of the inning.
Troy had chances to score in the game, but could never manage to get a big hit. The Trojans left the bases loaded in both the fourth and eighth innings and scored seven of their eight runs in those two frames.
After Troy scored three times in the eighth, cutting the deficit to five runs with the bases loaded. At that point the Tigers turned to SEC saves leader Austin Hubbard, who got Brett Henry to ground out to end the inning.
Hubbard finished off the game for the Tigers, earning his 10th save of the year. Junior Michael Hurst (4-0) was the fourth of six hurlers in the game for Auburn and got the victory. He worked three innings and allowed just one earned run while striking out three.
Six different Tigers had multiple hits in the game, led by Gilmer with three. Of the 16 hits, Auburn had 12 singles and four doubles, snapping the teams' streak of consecutive games with at least one homer at nine.
Troy's four hits included doubles by Miles Hoyle and Ryan Ditthardt.
“We did some decent things in the game, but we couldn't get it done when we needed it most,” Pierce said.
“We have exams this week and we have to get ready for a very good MTSU team this weekend. We will have to get some hits and defend well against a solid lineup.”
The Trojans and Blue Raiders will open their weekend series on Friday night at Riddle-Pace Field, with the first pitch scheduled 6 p.m.
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