Troy University Athletics
Troy University
FIU
Trojans Use the Long Ball to Take Series
3/21/2010 9:00:00 PM | Softball
TROY, Ala. - The Troy Trojans softball team out hit FIU 7-to-3 with two of the seven being home runs as they took the rubber match from the Golden Panthers, 5-3 at the Trojan Softball Complex on Sunday. The win makes the Trojans the early front runner in the Sun Belt standings.
"This was a critical series win for us," said head coach Melanie Davis. "Not only does it mean a lot in the standings, but later on down the line with seedings in the conference tournament."
Ashlyn Williams went the distance for the 17th time this season, picking up her 13th win. The junior gave up just three hits and struck out 10.
Hayden Gann led the Trojans at the plate, going 2-for-3 with 3 RBI on a three run homer in the first inning. Nikki Hollett also hit a home run for the Trojans. Hollett's a two-run, go-ahead shot in the sixth inning.
The Golden Panthers (19-10, 4-2) struck first with two runs in the first inning. After Kayla Burri was hit with the second pitch of the game, Ashley McClain hit her fifth home run of the season, this one over the right field fence, giving FIU an early 2-0 lead.
The Trojans (17-13, 5-1) would answer when Gann hit a three-run shot in the bottom of the inning. Kala Moore led the inning off with an infield single. After she stole her 17th base of the season, Kaitlin Kenney drew a walk to place two Trojans on base. After FIU retired the next two Trojans, Gann delivered with a three-run shot, her third homer of the season, giving Troy a 3-2 lead.
Following the final out in the first inning, the rain began to fall and the two teams sat through a 55-minute rain delay between the first and second innings.
The two sides stayed off of the board until the top of the fifth. In that inning, Jessy Alfonso delivered a solo shot, her second home run of the year, tying the game at 3-3.
Troy took the lead once again with a two spot in the sixth inning. Gann led the inning off with a single, but was retired at second on a fielder's choice by Sarah Harris. Next up was Hollett who hit her second home run of the season and the Trojans' second of the game. The two run shot put the Trojans ahead 5-3 with just half an inning to play.
"I'm thrilled that we bounced back from the adversity we felt on the road last week," Davis said. "This win really showed our team's character and inner strength."
The Trojans gave up just a walk in the seventh as the Golden Panthers were retired quietly.
Kasey Barrett was tagged with the loss for FIU, tossing 5.1 innings, allowing five earned runs on seven hits with six strikeouts.
The Trojans will be back in action on Wednesday when they host South Alabama in the annual Strikeout Cancer game. First pitch at the Trojan Softball Complex is set for 5:00 p.m. Admission is FREE and all fans are encouraged to wear pink.
The team will also be selling 50/50 raffle tickets in the Trojan Center on Monday and Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and before the game on Wednesday. The winner will be announced in the fifth inning of the game against the Lady Jags. All proceeds will go the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.
