TROY Splits With ULM on Saturday

Saturday, March 19

Troy, AL

1:00 p.m.

Troy University

University of Louisiana at Monroe

Photo by: Troy University

3/19/2011 6:48:55 PM | Softball

Trojans win game one, have chances in game two

By: Travis Jarome

Box Score (Game 1) | Box Score (Game 2) | Photo Gallery

TROY, Ala. – The Troy University softball team returned home this weekend to open Sun Belt Conference play against ULM, winning game one 3-0; before dropping game two 6-5 setting up the rubber game on Sunday afternoon.

In the opener, senior Ashlyn Williams (Hattiesburg, Miss./Oak Grove HS) struck out 11 batters in the opener on her way to a complete game three-hit shutout of the Warhawks. Williams (7-5) allowed just six runners to reach base for the entire game, as she allowed three walk and did not allow her first hit until the fourth inning.

After battling through a scoreless pitcher's duel, the Trojans struck first in the bottom of the fourth inning – scoring all three of their runs in the fourth inning. The inning started when Hayden Gann (Hoover, Ala./Hoover HS) drew a full count walk. She advanced to second when Michelle Hewett (Alford, Fla./Chipola JC) dropped down a bunt and beat it down the line, putting runners at first and second with no one out.

After a fly out by Kacie McAllister (Dothan, Ala./Dothan HS), the Trojans scored their first run when Randi Ashworth (Crosby, Texas/Tallahassee CC) reached on a fielding error allowing Gann to score – giving TROY a 1-0 lead. The Trojans added onto the lead when Sarah Shields (Schereville, Ind./Lake Central HS) came on as a pinch hitter and drove a 2-2 pitch up the middle for a two-run single; plating Hewett and pinch runner Callie Rawlinson (Auburn, Ala./Lee Scott Academy).

From that point, Williams took control of the contest as she allowed two hits over the final three innings; striking out three – including a pair in the sixth inning.

Taylor Smartt (Troy, Ala./Charles Henderson HS) led the Trojans at the plate in the opener, going 2-for-3 with a pair of singles; while Hewett also went 2-for-3 with a pair of singles in the victory.

Meanwhile, in the nightcap, Troy (18-10, 1-1 Sun Belt) as ULM (13-13, 2-3 Sun Belt) scored six runs combined in the fifth and sixth innings to capture the split.

TROY took a quick 4-0 lead in the contest, scoring a run in each the first and second innings; before adding a pair in the third inning.

The Trojans got on track early in the contest when Hewett reached on a lead-off single and scored on a Gann double down the right field line for a 1-0 TROY lead. The Trojans added another in the second after Ashworth doubled with one out in the inning and later scored on a RBI groundout by Kortney Cooper (Dothan, Ala./Northview HS).

TROY added a pair of runs in the third inning when Nikki Hollett (Melbourne, Australia/Wesley College) and Gann hit back-to-back doubles, with the Gann double driving in Hollett. The final run of the inning came when Smartt lined out on a sacrifice fly to left, scoring Gann and giving TROY a 4-0 lead.

After ULM stormed back to take the lead, the Trojans had a chance in the seventh inning to tie the contest. Kelly Luquette (St. Amant, La./St. Amant HS) led off the inning with a single up the middle and moved to third on a Hollett double off the centerfield fence. Meanwhile, Hollett got hung up between second and third for the first out of the inning, before Gann delivered an RBI single through the right side – pulling the Trojans to within a run. Smartt followed that up with a single to put the tying run at second and the winning run at first with just one out in the inning. However, the rally ended there as Shields hit into a game-ending double play.

Williams (7-6) suffered the loss in relief of starter Morgan Groves (Tampa, Fla./Tallahassee CC), going 2 2/3 inning and allowing two runs off of two hits. Grove went 4 1/3 innings, allowing four runs (two earned) off of seven hits.

Gann led the charge for the Trojans in the nightcap as she went a perfect 4-for-4 in the contest, driving in three runs and scoring one of her own. Meanwhile, Hewett and Hollett each added a pair of hits in the loss.

The two teams will meet in the rubber match on Sunday afternoon at the Trojans Softball Complex. First pitch is scheduled for 1 pm, and admission is free to all home softball games.

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