Trojans Split on Sunday at Home

Sunday, February 20

Troy, AL

12:30 p.m.

Troy University

University of North Florida

Photo by: Kevin Glackmeyer

2/20/2011 6:06:41 PM | Softball

Troy scores six runs in first three innings to down Samford

By: Travis Jarome

Box Score (North Florida) | Box Score (Samford)

TROY, Ala. – The Troy University softball team improved to 7-3 on the young season, splitting a pair of games at the Troy Softball Complex on Sunday afternoon.

Troy won the nightcap against in-state rival Samford, their second win over the Bulldogs this weekend, claiming a 6-2 victory Sunday evening.

The Trojans didn't waste any time scoring in the nightcap on Sunday as junior Michelle Hewett (Alford, Fla./Chipola JC) led off the first inning with a triple on the second pitch, hitting the ball to the wall in left center. She scored when freshman Taylor Smartt (Troy, Ala./Charles Henderson HS) laced a single down the left field line, past a diving effort from Samford third baseman Arica Dykes.

After a pair of walks to Nikki Hollett (Melbourne, Australia/Wesley College) and Melissa Pratt (Tonganoxie, Kan./Highland CC), junior Sarah Shields (Schereville, Ind./Lake Central HS) singled up the middle to score Smartt to put the Trojans up a pair of runs in the first inning. The final run of the inning came when freshman Kacie McAllister (Dothan, Ala./Dothan HS) drew a bases loaded walk to put the Trojans up 3-0 after one inning of play.

The Trojans scored a pair of runs in the second when Hewett led off the inning with a walk, then a steal of second base. After a walk to Smartt, both players moved into scoring position on a wild pitch by Samford starter Nicole Bobrowski. Both runners scored on a Hayden Gann (Hoover, Ala./Hoover HS) double to left center to put the Trojans up 5-0 after two innings of play.

After Samford scored a run in the top half of the third inning, Troy answered with a run of their own in the bottom half of the third inning. Senior Ashley Adkins (Tampa, Fla./Robinson HS) reached on a one-out throwing error, advancing all the way around to third. She scored when the next batter, Kelly Luquette (St. Amant, LA./St. Amant HS) doubled to left for the final run of the day for the Trojans, putting them up 6-1 after three.

Samford added another run in the sixth to close out the scoring.

In the victory, Morgan Grove (Tampa, Fla./Tallahassee CC) went 3 2/3 innings on the mound, allowing one run off of seven hits, while striking out one. Junior Haley Hutchins (McCalla, Ala./Brookwood HS) picked up the save as she went 3 1/3 innings allowing one run off one hit, while striking out one.

At the plate, Shields was the only player to get multiple hits against the Bulldogs, as six other players each got a hit in the win.

Earlier in the day, the Trojans fell in the final game of the Quality Inn Classic to the University of North Florida 3-2.

Hutchins suffered the loss for the Trojans as she allowed three runs off of six hits in 6 1/3 innings worth of work. At the plate, Hewett was the only player to record multiple hits for the Trojans; while Hollett drove in both runs in the contest.

Troy returns to action next weekend in Hattiesburg at the Southern Miss Tournament, facing Nicholls State in the opener on Friday.

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