Felix Slam Secures Troy Win vs ASU

Saturday, May 15

Troy, Ala.

3:00 pm

Troy University

Arkansas State

5/15/2010 11:00:00 PM | Baseball

After jumping out to a 7-0 lead over visiting Arkansas State on Saturday afternoon at Riddle-Pace Field, the Troy Trojans almost led the Red Wolves get back into the game. Almost.

After ASU closed the gap to 7-6 in the top of seventh, the Trojans loaded the bases in front of senior Steven Felix and he delivered, blasting a grand slam homer over the wall in right, lifting the Trojans to an 11-6 victory.

The teams will play the final game of the series tonight in advance of a weather system expected to bring rain into the Troy area on Sunday.

Troy sophomore starter Tyler Ray (7-3) earned the victory in the opener by working six innings, allowing five earned runs on seven hits. Freshman Thomas Austin and senior Robby Loew came on in relief of Ray, holding ASU to just one hit over the final three frames.

Arkansas State starter Jacob Lee (6-3) was chased by Troy in the third inning after allowing seven runs, six earned, on seven hits. Daniel Wright pitched well in relief for three innings but gave up hits to Jake Sullivan and Shohei Fujita before giving way to Drew Benes.

Benes surrendered an infield single to Adam Bryant before Felix blasted his grand slam. Felix finished the game with five RBI, giving him 100 for his career.

Troy scored a single run in the first on singles by Felix and Ryan Ditthardt. The Trojans added two in the second on a single to right by Felix that plated two thanks to a throwing error.

Troy added four more runs in the third on RBI singles by Sullivan and J.R. Myers before a two-run double by Bryant.

ASU scored two in the sixth off Ray on a two-out bloop double to left by Jordan Castaldo. The Red Wolves scored four more in the seventh to chase Ray. Three of the runs came on a bases loaded double by Giovanni Garcia off Austin.