Troy University Athletics
Trojans Dropped By FAU
5/7/2009 4:15:00 AM | Softball
DENTON, Texas - The second-seeded Troy Trojans softball team dropped it's Sun Belt Conference Tournament opener on Wednesday to the seventh-seeded Florida Atlantic Owls, 6-4.
Troy (38-18) started the game on the right note, and grabbed an early lead on the Owls. The Trojans got on board in the bottom of the second inning with a 2-0 lead after back-to-back singles from Sarah Shields and Kala Moore were driven home by a Heidi Johnson triple.
“Heidi has been hitting the ball extremely well lately,” Trojans head coach Melanie Davis said. “She has done a great job for us at the plate.”
The Trojans extended their lead in the fourth inning when Katie Ely scored from third base on an FAU wild pitch. Ely was pinch-running for catcher Felicia Hammer after she rocked a double to right center field.
Johnson led all Troy batters with the triple. Tasha Elmore, Hillary Hughes and Nikki Hollett joined Shields, Moore, Hammer and first team, all-conference Heidi Johnson with hits in the game.
Ashlyn Williams got the start on the mound for Troy in the game. Williams was credited with the loss in the complete game performance. The sophomore walked three batters, struck out three and allowed eight hits.
FAU's Kat Stauffer picked up the win in a relieving effort of starter Rose Gressley. Stauffer pitched three innings and allowed just two Troy hits. Gressley pitched the first four innings of the contest and allowed five hits and three runs. The two pitchers combined for three total strikeouts in the game and allowed seven walks.
The Owls got on the board with their first run of the game in the top of the fifth inning when Kerri Croney homered to center field. The Owls added three more runs in the top of the sixth inning, and tagged in one more in the top of the seventh.
The Trojans comeback effort from the 6-3 deficit in the bottom half of the seventh fell short after scoring just one of the three needed runs.
“I made the statement to the team that this tournament is wide open,” Davis said. “Whoever puts together good performances in all three phases of the game can win this thing. Obviously we would have preferred the direct route, but I was pleased with how our kids fought back and performed in today's game.”
Troy's indirect route begins on Thursday with a 12:30 (c.s.t.) Contest against the Hilltoppers of Western Kentucky University. Troy swept WKU in the regular season series at the Trojans Softball Complex.
Troy (38-18) started the game on the right note, and grabbed an early lead on the Owls. The Trojans got on board in the bottom of the second inning with a 2-0 lead after back-to-back singles from Sarah Shields and Kala Moore were driven home by a Heidi Johnson triple.
“Heidi has been hitting the ball extremely well lately,” Trojans head coach Melanie Davis said. “She has done a great job for us at the plate.”
The Trojans extended their lead in the fourth inning when Katie Ely scored from third base on an FAU wild pitch. Ely was pinch-running for catcher Felicia Hammer after she rocked a double to right center field.
Johnson led all Troy batters with the triple. Tasha Elmore, Hillary Hughes and Nikki Hollett joined Shields, Moore, Hammer and first team, all-conference Heidi Johnson with hits in the game.
Ashlyn Williams got the start on the mound for Troy in the game. Williams was credited with the loss in the complete game performance. The sophomore walked three batters, struck out three and allowed eight hits.
FAU's Kat Stauffer picked up the win in a relieving effort of starter Rose Gressley. Stauffer pitched three innings and allowed just two Troy hits. Gressley pitched the first four innings of the contest and allowed five hits and three runs. The two pitchers combined for three total strikeouts in the game and allowed seven walks.
The Owls got on the board with their first run of the game in the top of the fifth inning when Kerri Croney homered to center field. The Owls added three more runs in the top of the sixth inning, and tagged in one more in the top of the seventh.
The Trojans comeback effort from the 6-3 deficit in the bottom half of the seventh fell short after scoring just one of the three needed runs.
“I made the statement to the team that this tournament is wide open,” Davis said. “Whoever puts together good performances in all three phases of the game can win this thing. Obviously we would have preferred the direct route, but I was pleased with how our kids fought back and performed in today's game.”
Troy's indirect route begins on Thursday with a 12:30 (c.s.t.) Contest against the Hilltoppers of Western Kentucky University. Troy swept WKU in the regular season series at the Trojans Softball Complex.
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