Troy Falls for First Time in 2011, Falls to Auburn

Saturday, February 12

Birmingham, AL

1:30 p.m.

Troy University

Auburn University

Photo by: Troy University

Troy Falls for First Time in 2011, Falls to Auburn

2/12/2011 4:43:31 PM | Softball

Nikki Hollett homers for fourth time in three games to open the season

By: Travis Jarome

Box Score

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Troy University softball program fell for the first time this season, allowing a run in the sixth inning in a 2-1 loss to Auburn University on the second day of the Easton/Hibbett All-Alabama Classic in Birmingham.

Troy (2-1) scored first in the contest, as they scored their 10th run in the first inning this season – in just their third game. Junior Nikki Hollett (Melbourne, Australia/Wesley College) continues to climb the career chart at the school in career home runs as she hit a solo bomb to give Troy a 1-0 lead.

The home run was the fourth in three games for Hollett, who has now moved from 10th on the all-time list to fifth in just three games this season. She has now connected on 17 career home runs for the Trojans.

The shot by Hollett is also the eighth home run for the Trojans in just three games this season.

However, it was overshadowed by Auburn (2-0) as they were able to score a single run in the third and another in the sixth to defeat senior Ashyln Williams (Hattiesburg, Miss./Oak Grove HS) in her season debut. The Sun Belt Conference Preseason Pitcher of the Year allowed just two runs off of five hits in her debut. She also struck out 10 Auburn batters in the loss.

The Tigers were able to get to Williams in the third after Morgan Estell reached on a two-out infield single right back at Williams. She then stole second and scored on a double by Kyndall White to centerfield to tie the game 1-all. Auburn did the same thing in the sixth inning when Kelsey Cartwright singled a 2-1 pitch to left; before Elizabeth Eisterhold doubled home Cartwright for a 2-1 lead.

Troy had a chance to tie the game in the bottom of the sixth inning when Kacie McAllister (Dothan, Ala./Dothan HS) led off the inning with a single. She advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Michelle Hewett (Alford, Fla./Chipola JC) , before Auburn pitcher Lauren Schmalz struck out the next two batters.

In the seventh, junior Hayden Gann (Hoover, Ala./Hoover HS) led off the inning reaching on an error by the second baseman. After she was subbed for Ashley Adkins (Tampa, Fla./Robinson HS), Sarah Shields (Schererville, Ind./Lake Central HS) grounded into a fielder's choice, followed by another fielder's choice by Taylor Smartt (Troy, Ala/Charles Henderson HS). The game ended when xx struck out the final Troy batter of the day.

Schmalz finished the day for the Tigers allowing just one run off of three hits, while striking out 11 and allowing just one walk.

The Trojans finish the second day with a game against UAB, before closing out the tournament against (3/6) Alabama on Sunday afternoon at 1:30 pm at Liberty Park.

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