Trojans Blank UNO 10-0 to Complete Sweep

Sunday, March 13

Riddle-Pace Field

1:00 pm

Troy University

University of New Orleans

Photo by: Edward Fieder

3/13/2011 4:00:18 PM | Baseball

Box Score

By: Ricky Hazel

FINAL BOX SCORE: PDF | HTML POST-GAME AUDIO

Any doubt about the result of the final game of a four-game series between Troy and UNO was erased early on as the Trojans jumped out to an early 5-0 lead over the Privateers and coasted to a 10-0 victory.

The capped a sweep of UNO for the Trojans, who improved to 13-3 overall on the season. The Privateers fall to 1-15 with the loss.

To make sure that early lead stood up, Troy's pitching staff, highlighted by freshman left-hander Jimmy Hodgskin (1-1) retired the final 17 UNO hitters in the game to give Hodgskin his first collegiate victory.

“I was real pleased with Jimmy's start and we defended well behind him,” Trojans coach Bobby Pierce said. “He was over-throwing a little early but he was throwing well. Todd (McRae) thought some of the pitches should have been called strikes, so he wasn't missing too badly. He settled in and got things under control to get his first college win.”

Hodgskin said getting his first win was something he has been waiting for.

“It was awesome,” Hodgskin said. “I have been waiting for this for a couple of starts. My defense really picked me up. I am trying to eliminate the walks and I felt like I was around the zone early but I didn't get the calls. You have to be able to work through that. I was able to relax a little later and stay in control.”

Junior A.J. Howard and sophomore Thomas Austin both worked perfect innings behind Hodgskin, who allowed just two hits over seven innings of work. The freshman struggled with his control early, walking four, but settled down and finished with five strikeouts.

“I was glad A.J. got out there because he is one of the hardest working kids on the club,” Pierce said. “Thomas has gone back on top and he threw the ball well.”

Offensively, the Trojans pounded out 15 hits against four Privateers hurlers. UNO starter Zach Kelt (1-3) worked five innings, allowing six runs on eight hits to take the loss.

“Offensively, we are starting to get some guys on track,” Pierce said. “Ali Knowles came up with another big day and Kyle Brown had a big game. Right now everyone is healthy on the entire club and trying to get the depth in there to keep everyone involved and playing is a great situation for a coach to be in.”

Troy got things started against Kelt early. Daniel Peterson opened the game with a single and advanced on an error before Adam Bryant drove him home with a single. The freshman, Brown, followed an out later with a hit to plate Bryant for a 2-0 lead.

The Trojans expanded their advantage in the second when McRae led off with the first of his three hits and another freshman, Knowles, followed an out later with his first collegiate home run. Troy got another run after Bryant doubled and then scored on an error.

Brown, who also had three hits in the game for Troy, doubled in Tyler Hannah in the fifth. Bryant and Hannah, who both also had three hits, teamed up again in the sixth when Bryant singled in two runs and Hannah followed with a double to score the Troy senior.

Troy added a single run in the eighth when T.J. Rivera delivered a sacrifice fly to score Hannah.

In addition to the three-hit games from Bryant, Hannah, Brown and McRae, the Trojans got two hits from Knowles.

“I like the way we played this weekend,” Pierce said. “We didn't play down and we got things done in a convincing fashion. Hopefully the guys will keep things going as we move through the season.”

The Trojans will be back in action on Tuesday night against Florida A&M at Riddle-Pace Field in the final tune-up before opening conference play next weekend at home against South Alabama.

Sophomore right-hander William Teal, a Troy native, is expected to get the start on the mound for the Trojans on Tuesday. The first pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.

“I think we are planning to start William Teal,” Pierce said. “It will be his first start so it won't be a deep game like Jimmy had today, but we need to get him some innings.”