Trojans Walk Way to Victory Over Rattlers

Tuesday, March 15

Riddle-Pace Field

6:00 pm

Troy University

Florida A&M University

Photo by: Kevin Glackmeyer

3/15/2011 9:45:35 PM | Baseball

Box Score

By: Ricky Hazel

FINAL BOX SCORE: PDF | HTML POST-GAME AUDIO | PHOTO GALLERY

The Troy baseball team got a free pass, literally, on Tuesday night in a 15-4 victory over visiting Florida A&M at Riddle-Pace Field.

Five FAMU pitchers combined to issue 16 walks to Troy batters, setting a new school record in the process. In addition to the walk, the Rattlers allowed 13 hits, committed four errors, had two passed balls and hit a batter.

The Trojans improved to 14-3 on the year with the win while FAMU fell to 7-13.

“We don't get that opportunity very often, but tonight was one of those nights,” Trojans coach Bobby Pierce said of giving almost every player on the Troy roster a chance to see action. “I was glad that a lot of guys got some opportunities. With conference play starting this weekend, we gave a lot of guys a chance to get one final look.”

The offensive production for Troy included nine players with hits and eight with runs scored. Big blows in the game included a three-run triple by Tyler Hannah in the third inning and a two-run double by Daniel Peterson in the fourth.

On the opposite side, Troy starting pitcher William Teal (1-0) earned his first victory since having Tommy John surgery last year. The Troy native worked just three innings on a strict pitch count. He gave up two runs on three hits with three walks and three strikeouts.

“That is usually the way things are with a guy coming off of surgery,” Pierce said. “The last thing to get in place is timing and rhythm, especially with a big kid like William. He is fine and is healthy, but it does take some time to get the rust off and get the timing back. The best way to do that is in the bull pen and in practice. We knew it would be a little rough around the edges, but overall I thought he threw pretty good.”

Teal, who played at Charles Henderson High School and was on a Troy Dixie Youth World Series championship team several years ago, said he was just excited to have a chance to get back on the mound.

“It has been a year in preparation to finally get a chance to go back out there, and it does feel good,” Teal said. “It feels good for the coaches to have the confidence they have shown me to know that I have put forth the effort in rehab to give myself a chance to get back out there.”

The sophomore said the biggest problem he faced in his three innings of work was finding a consistent release point on his pitches.

“I felt fine physically,” Teal said. “My arm feels fine, I was just a little erratic. It was hard for me to find my release point to keep the ball down in the zone. That will come with repetition, I am just glad for the opportunity. I am looking forward to getting my control back which, hopefully, will come pretty soon.”

Behind Teal the Trojans used six other hurlers for one inning of work each. Jose Linton (1-2), the first of the five pitchers for FAMU, took the loss. He gave up seven runs on four hits and issued six of the 16 free passes.

“I didn't know it was a school record,” Pierce said of the walks. “You just challenge the players to have a good at bat and a good approach. The bigger thing is that you hope this doesn't throw them off for when they see better pitching starting this weekend.”

This weekend brings the start of Sun Belt Conference play. The Trojans will host in-state rival South Alabama in the opening weekend of play.

“It is the second season inside the season,” Pierce said. “There are 30 games and it is not a sprint, it is more of a marathon. We have a chance to get started off at home. We have to play South Alabama six times now with the new schedule, so we will open up with them here at the house. I hope that we have great crowds. I know the weather is going to be fantastic.”

The Trojans and Jaguars will square off on Friday night at 6 p.m., again on Saturday at 6 p.m. and will wrap-up the series on Sunday with a 1 p.m. start.