Troy University Athletics
Troy University
Middle Tennessee
Trojans Take Two from Middle Tennessee
3/4/2010 12:00:00 AM | Softball
TROY, Ala. - The Trojans (11-4, 2-0) started Sun Belt play on
the right foot, taking a doubleheader from Middle Tennessee (2-5, 0-2), 5-0 and 4-2. The twin bill also marked the trojans first home games of the season. A few Trojans reached some significant milestones. Ashlyn Williams became the career wins leader at Troy with her 61st victory in game one, and Sally Ward picked up her first collegiate victory in game two. Also, senior Rocky Paige went a combined 4-for-6, pushing her current hitting streak to 10 games.
GAME ONE
The Trojans defeated Middle Tennessee 5-0 to start the day. Ashlyn Williams went the distance for the Trojans, striking out 15 Blue Raiders and giving on no runs on just three hits. The win by Williams gave her 61 for her career, breaking the Troy school record.
"The record book tells it all," said Trojan head coach Melanie Davis. "For Ashlyn to be just a junior and already have the records that she has, speaks volumes of her talent."
Rocky Paige ad Belinda White led the Trojans at the plate, both with two hits. White also posted an RBI. Paige extended her season best hitting streak to nine games.
Troy got on the board first with a single run in the second. After Rocky Paige led off the inning with a single, Courtney Cherry moved her to second with a sacrifice hit. An RBI single by junior catcher Belinda White plated the first one.
Troy would add two more in the third. Sarah Shields led the inning off with a double, then Kala Moore put down a sac bunt to move her to third. Next up was pinch hitter Sally Ward. Ward grounded to the pitcher, but a bad throw to third base allowed Shields to score and Ward to reach at first. After Hayden Gann popped out to pick up Troy's second out, Paige delivered an RBI single to right field to plate the Trojans third run.
Troy added single runs in the fourth and fifth inning. The Trojans scored on the strength of a lead off single by White. After a sacrifice bunt by Sarah Harris, Nikki Hollett connected on an RBI single, giving the Trojans a 4-0 lead.
Lindsey Vander Lugt threw 4.1 innings for the Blue Raiders, giving up seven hits and five runs, only two earned, picking up the loss. Brittany Banania, Natalie Ysais and Kandra Singleton all posted hits for the Blue Raiders. Vander Lugt's appearance was the 105th of her career, setting the Middle Tennessee career record.
Troy scored in the fifth on the strength of a Middle Tennessee throwing error on a pickoff attempt to third base, plating Cherry.
GAME TWO
The Trojans withstood six errors in game two and plated four
runs in the second and third to defeat the Blue Raiders 4-2. Sally Ward
Paige led the Trojans once again at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a solo home
run. started the game in the circle for
the Trojans and picked up her first collegiate win. She pitched 4.2 innings giving up just two
hits and two runs.
"It's great to see Rocky Paige come through in fine fashion," Davis said. "I'm very happy to see such a great kid do the things she's been doing lately."
The Trojans plated the first two runs of the game in the second inning. Paige got things started with a double down the third base line, extending her hitting streak to 10 games. After Cherry reached on a ground ball, a sac bunt by White moved runners to second and third with one out. An RBI ground out by Ward scored the Trojans first run. Next up was Nikki Hollett who ripped an RBI double down the left field line.
Troy plated two more runs in the third inning. Moore led off with an infield single, then stole second base. Kenney reached on a fielding error by the first baseman that also scored Moore from second base. After Kenney was picked off of second base, Paige blasted a solo homer over the left field fence.
The Blue Raiders plated their first runs of the day with a two spot in the fifth. After the Trojans got two quick outs, Caitlin McClure reached on an error by Cherry. McClure stole second, then Ashia Terry reached on another error, advancing McClure to third. A single by Natalie Ysais plated the first run. After Williams came on the pitch for the Trojans, a passed ball plated the Blue Raiders second run.
Williams closed out the game to pick up her second save of the season.
Caty Jutson went the distance for the Blue Raiders, giving up four runs on four hits and was tagged with the loss. Natalie Ysais led the Blue Raiders at the plate, going 1-for-3 with one RBI.
"I'm pleased with two wins to start conference play," Davis said. "In particular, our pitching staff did a great job today, not giving up any earned runs."
"On the other hand, our defense didn't perform well today, and we continued to struggle to hit in the clutch," Davis said. "It's a good thing this is a team sport and we did what was necessary to win today."
The Trojans will be back in action tomorrow when they look to complete the sweep of Middle Tennessee. First pitch from the Trojan Softball Complex in set for noon.
