Troy University Athletics
Troy University
North Texas
Williams Throws No-Hitter as Trojans Roll
5/12/2010 4:00:00โฏPM | Softball
MOBILE, Ala. - The Troy Trojans softball team got the Sun Belt Conference Championships started in fine fashion on Wednesday morning, blanking the third seeded North Texas Mean Green 8-0 in six innings.
"With all the obstacles this team has faced this season, the complete performance they put together today shows their great inner spirit," said head coach Melanie Davis.
Ashlyn Williams (19-21) would throw a no-hitter, striking out 14 and giving up just one walk. The no-no was the second of Williams career, with the other coming earlier this season against UCF. Williams struck out the side in the first and fourth and had two strikes in the other four innings.
"I challenged Ashlyn to give us her 'A' game and she did just that," Davis said. "Couple that with the offensive performance we put on today and we're sitting in a good spot."
The Trojans (25-28) bats would come to life as they had seven hits with Hayden Gann and Rocky Paige each hitting home runs. Gann went 2-for-2 with three RBI and three runs scored. Paige was 2-for-2 with two RBI and two runs scored.
The Trojans would get on the board first with two runs in the second inning. After Hayden Gann reached on an infield single and Rocky Paige was hit by a pitch, Belinda White delivered a two-out, two RBI double to right center. The shot to the gap gave White her 13th and 14th RBI of the season and gave Troy an early 2-0 lead
The Trojans would extend their lead in the third inning when Hayden Gann hit a three-run home run. Kala Moore led off with a single to left. After a sacrifice bunt by Sarah Shields moved her to second, Moore moved to third on a strikeout with a wild pitch to Nikki Hollett, placing runners on the corners with one out.
Gann was next up and she deposited a 1-1 pitch onto the porch beyond the left field fence, giving the Trojans a 5-0 lead through two and a half innings. Paige followed that with a triple and a walk to Sarah Harris chased North Texas starter Ashley Lail (12-9).
The Trojans tagged the All-Conference pitcher with five earned runs on five hits, including three extra base hits in 2.2 innings.
Troy would break through against North Texas (27-19) reliever Kayla Lawson in the fifth. Gann would start things with a one out walk and would come home on a two-out, two-run blast by Rocky Paige, giving the Trojans a 7-0 lead.
Troy would add the deciding eighth run in the sixth inning. Pinch hitter Sally Ward would start things by drawing a walk. She would move to second on a wild pitch and Marcy Sartain would re-enter the game. Sartain would then score on an RBI single by Sarah Shields, giving the Trojans a 8-0 lead.
The sixth seeded Trojans will return to action tomorrow at 3:00 p.m. when they take on No.7 ULM, who beat No. 2 FIU by a score of 1-0, at Jaguar Field.
For brackets, live stats and live game telecasts, click the above "Championship Central" link.
