Trojans Softball Rolls Friday, Set To Play This Friday

TROY, Ala. – The Troy University softball team returned to action this past Friday and walked away with a pair of victories, their fifth in five tries thus far this fall.

The Trojans opened the day with a 5-1 defeat of Faulkner State, behind a solid defensive performance. The lineup in the first game was slightly different than used in the previous three games as Randi Ashworth got the start behind the plate, Morgan Grove on the mound and Jordan McAllister getting the start at second base.

Grove turned in another good outing, going five strong innings and striking out three batters with no walks. She also gave up only four hits, two solid hits and two bloop hits. The first hard hit ball of the game produced the only run for Falkner State after an infield ground ball.

Haley Hutchins pitched two innings in relief, as she got her outs on ground balls and fly balls. She gave up only two hits on the day, which included one solid hit.

Back-to-back doubles by Sarah Harris and Ashworth plated the first run of the afternoon for the Trojans. Harris hit the first pitch of the inning over the leftfielder' head for an easy double, while Ashworth worked the count full and ripped the ball to the fence for her run scoring double.

The team put together a three-run fifth inning after a leadoff walk drawn by Kacie McAllister, a single by Michelle Hewett and a sacrifice bunt by Kelly Luquette put runners at first and third to start the inning. An infield ground ball by Taylor Smartt scored McAllister, while Nikki Hollett hit a two-out double, scoring Hewett, before a single by Harris scored Hollett.

The final run for the Trojans came in the fifth inning when Hollett worked a full-count bases loaded walk.

In the nightcap, the Trojans pulled away for a 9-3 victory over NW Florida, as the Trojans returned to a similar lineup used this fall with senior Ashlyn Williams toeing the rubber.

Williams struck out 12 while giving up only one walk, that starting the fourth inning on a full count. The Raiders started the inning with a single then somehow managed to string together four hits and put up three runs on the board.

Williams struck out at least two batters in the first five innings, and only one in her final inning after a line out and ground out. Hutchins came on in the seventh to close out the game by getting three ground ball outs.

The Trojans started the scoring early, getting the game started in the second inning. Harris led off with a single up the middle which was followed by a ball hit to the fence by Cooper, which scored Harris. A few pitches later, Kacie McAllister blasted a 2-1 pitch to the right center gap for another run scoring double.

In the third inning, Taylor Smartt got the ball rolling with a line drive to right field followed by Harris' shot up the middle two hitters later. Randi Ashworth stepped up to the plate and delivered a towering shot just inside the left field foul pole, pushing the Trojans ahead even further.

In thefourth inning, Smartt plated McAllister and Hewett, after their base hits into the outfield, with a hard line drive into the gap in right center. In her final at bat of the day in the fifth inning, Ashworth smashed the first pitch thrown to her over the center field fence for a solo home run – her second of the day and second of the fall.

The Trojans manufactured another run in the sixth inning after a couple walks put McAllister and Hewett on base again for the final.

Troy returns to action on Friday, October 15 to face Alabama Southern and Chipola beginning at 4 pm at the Troy Softball Complex.

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Troy University Athletics

Trojans Softball Rolls Friday, Set To Play This Friday

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