Trojans Sweep Pair at Quality Inn Classic

Saturday, February 19

Troy, AL

3:00 p.m.

Troy University

Samford University

Photo by: Kevin Glackmeyer

2/19/2011 10:02:23 PM | Softball

Troy defeats Samford and Bradley on day two of tournament

By: Travis Jarome

Box Score (Samford) | Box Score (Bradley)

TROY, Ala. – The Troy University softball team won a pair of games at the Quality Inn Classic on Saturday, defeating Samford and claiming an extra-inning victory over Bradley at the Troy Softball Complex.

Troy (6-2) fell behind Bradley early in the contest, before rallying for three runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to claim an 8-7 lead to stay perfect in their home tournament. The Trojans fell behind 3-2 through three innings, scoring a pair of runs in the sixth to take one-run lead. However, Bradley scored one of their own in the top of the seventh to send the game to extra innings.

In the eighth inning, Bradley took a 5-4 run on a fielding error on the Trojans' infield before Troy answered with one of their own when pinch runner Callie Rawlinson (Auburn, Ala./Lee-Scott Academy) scored on a Kacie McAllister (Dothan, Ala./Dothan HS) sacrifice fly to tie the game at 5-all.

After Bradley scored a pair of runs in the ninth, the Trojans came back to score three and record the victory. Freshman Kelly Luquette (St. Amant, La./St. Amant HS) was placed on second base due to international rules, and was able to jog around the bases when junior Michelle Hewett (Alford, Fla./Chipola JC) homered to center – her third of the season from the lead-off position. The home run tied the game at 8-all.

Freshman Taylor Smartt (Troy, Ala./Charles Henderson HS) followed the home run with a single through the left side. That was followed by junior Nikki Hollett (Melbourne, Australia/Wesley College) knocking a double to left center, which the leftfielder threw the ball into the dugout trying to get Smartt at third. However, the ball went into the dugout and Smartt was able to walk home with the winning run.

In the victory, junior Morgan Grove (Tampa, Fla./Tallahassee CC) picked up her third victory to stay undefeated on the season. She went all nine innings, allowing just two earned runs and striking out one batter.

Meanwhile, offensively, Smartt led the way with a career-high three hits in five plate appearances; while Hollett also went 3-for-5. Junior Sarah Harris (Surrey, BC, Canada/Semiahmoo Secondary) also picked up a pair of hits in the victory. Defensively, the star was the younger McAllister as she threw two batters out at first base after hits to right field.

In the first game of the season, the Trojans picked up their fifth win of the season as they defeated state rival Samford University 4-1.

The Trojans jumped ahead early when Hollett connected on her seventh home run of the season and third of the weekend. The junior blasted the 1-2 pitch over the right center field wall, a ball that was estimated about 260 feet by those in attendance.

Troy added a pair of runs in the fifth when McAllister walked and was advanced to second on a bunt single by Hewett. The duo then recorded a double steal before Hollett singled through the left side for a pair of runs batted in, giving Troy a 3-0 lead.

The Trojans added another run in the sixth to record the victory.

Haley Hutchins (McCalla, Ala./Brookwood HS) picked up her second victory of the season, in her second complete game, as she gave up just one run off of four hits. She also struck out six batters in her seven innings of work.

Offensively, Hollett and Smartt each picked a pair of hits in the victory – highlighting the 10-hit attack of the Trojans on Saturday afternoon

The Trojans return to action tomorrow afternoon at 12:30 pm in the final game of the Quality Inn Classic against North Florida. The Trojans will also face Samford at 3 pm in a regular season matchup at the Troy Softball Complex.

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