ULM Blanks Trojans in Series Opener

Friday, May 7

Monroe, La.

7:00 pm

Troy University

ULM

5/8/2010 2:00:00 AM | Baseball

MONROE, La. – There were few highlights for the visiting Troy Trojans in a 7-0 loss to ULM in the opening game of a weekend series at Warhawk Field.

ULM junior right-hander Drew Granier (4-5) made only one noticeable mistake all night, and Troy's Adam Bryant whacked that into right center for a single on the first pitch of the game.

From there, Granier dominated. Using a changeup that he just started throwing last week, the Thibodaux, La., native kept the Trojans off balance all night in posting a complete game, five-hit, shutout. He walked just two, both of which came with two out in the ninth inning, and struck out six.

The other four hits the Trojans posted in the game, two each from Miles Hoyle and Chase Whitley, were bloops and bleeders. The Trojans advanced as far as third base just twice in the game and left a total of eight runners on base.

“We needed to come in and play aggressively and take charge of the series and we did just the opposite,” Trojans coach Bobby Pierce said. “We gave them some chances with some early mistakes and they came in battling, which I thought they might.

“I wasn't very pleased with our effort or our approach tonight.”

Troy senior starter Andrew Dickinson (5-5) turned in his fourth complete game in his last five starts but, like in two of his previous complete games, one bad inning cost him, and his team.

“Andrew has had some problems early in games before, but when you remind him to speed his arm up he starts to get better movement,” Pierce said. “I was hoping he would figure that out a little earlier tonight.”

Dicksinson settled in and pitched well for Troy, but not until giving up a two-out grand slam to ULM's Nick Ward in the second inning. After the big hit, Dickinson retired 10 straight before ULM got a pair of infield hits, followed by a sacrifice bunt, a sacrifice fly and an error to score two runs in the sixth.

Overall, the Decatur native allowed six earned runs on 10 hits. He did not allow a walk and struck out five in throwing just 95 pitches.

Wade had two hits in the game for ULM, as did Jarrett Hammond and JoshGill, who had to be helped from the field with an apparent knee injury after beating out an infield grounder for a hit in the eighth inning.

For the Trojans (24-21, 10-12) the loss reduces the advantage over ULM for the eighth spot in the Sun Belt Tournament to just three games with eight to play. The Warhawks are now 17-29 overall and 7-15 in Sun Belt play.

The Trojans will try to get that game back on Saturday when the teams meet again. Sophomore Tyler Ray (5-3, 5.46) will take the mound for Troy against ULM junior right-hander James Jones (3-5, 6.16). The first pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m.

“It is a mighty big game for our club,” Pierce said. “You have a Monroe team that is feeling confident after mowing through us tonight. The challenge is in front of us. We have to come in with a different mentality and play like we expect to win a game.”