Trojans Bomb ULM 13-5 To Take Series Opener

Friday, May 8

Troy

6:00 PM

Troy University

UL-Monroe

Trojans Bomb ULM 13-5 To Take Series Opener

5/9/2009 2:00:00 AM | Baseball

TROY, Ala. ? Among a number of big hits for the Trojans on Friday night in a 13-5 series opening victory over Louisiana-Monroe at Riddle-Pace Field, the two biggest came on the first swing of the game and in the sixth inning to cap the evening.

Junior Chad Watson blasted the first pitch of the night from ULM starter Keith Christensen (4-3) to get Troy off to a fast start in what would become a five-run first inning. Senior Michael Precise then capped the scoring for the Trojans in the sixth when he launched a two-out grand slam homer off Josh Turner.

With the victory, the Trojans improved to 28-19 overall on the year and 15-8 in Sun Belt Conference play, keeping their league title hopes alive. ULM falls to 26-23 overall and 12-15 in the conference. The Warhawks have dropped eight of their last nine Sun Belt games and have not yet guaranteed themselves a place in the league tournament.

“We spent some extra time with Michael Precise this week after finals,” Troy coach Bobby Pierce said. “He takes tough classes and is in a tough major, and he came out and had a big night tonight. He is usually in the middle of our big nights.”

In addition to his grand slam, Precise had a sacrifice fly to cap the five-run first and an RBI single in the third. The homer was just his fourth of the year, and his first since April 1.

“We worked long and hard this week and I finally felt comfortable in the box,” Precise said. “Now that finals are over, I can relax and play ball.”

All of the Trojans seemed relaxed to start the game, as the first five Troy hitters of the night delivered hits. Troy scored single runs in the third, fourth and fifth innings before the five-run outburst in the sixth put the game away.

The five-run first was enough support for Trojans freshman pitcher Tyler Ray (7-3), who allowed just four earned runs in seven innings of work while scattering 11 hits. Andrew Dickinson worked the final two frames to finish off the win.

“Tyler didn't pitch his best, but he kept their offense at bay,” Pierce said. “We knew we would have to keep scoring up and down the lineup because they have some great hitters. We just have to keep the pressure on all weekend.”

ULM scored a pair of runs in the third inning, one on a double by Ben Soignier and the other on a single by Matt Collings, and two more in the fourth on a homer by Tom O'Gorman. The Warhawks added an unearned run in the seventh.

Trevor Tyre, who hit his ninth homer of the year in the fourth inning, led Troy with three hits in the game. Precise, Charley Williams, Miles Hoyle and Ryan Ditthardt added two hits each.

Jon Prevost, Matt Collins and Jordy Poche had two hits each to lead ULM.

The two teams will meet again on Saturday night at 6 p.m. The Trojans are scheduled to send senior left-hander Travis Burge (5-1, 5.31) to the mound to face ULM junior left-hander Justin Anderson (6-2, 6.59).