Early Offense Downs Trojans

Sunday, March 20

Troy, AL

1:00 p.m.

Troy University

University of Louisiana at Monroe

3/20/2011 3:24:56 PM | Softball

Trojans Surrender Five in First Two Frames

By: Taylor Bryan

Box Score (.pdf) | Box Score

TROY, Ala. – Troy gave up five runs over the first two innings and never recovered, falling 7-1 to ULM on Sunday afternoon in Sun Belt action at the Troy Softball Complex.

ULM got to Troy starter Ashlyn Williams (Hattiesburg, Miss./Oak Grove HS) for six hits and seven runs (five earned) in just 3.2 innings pitched. The Warhawks' offense started on the first pitch of the game with a single by preseason Sun Belt Player of the Year Brianna Love.

After Williams recorded a pair of outs, she issued a walk to Katie Girardi, then Janel Salanoa followed with an RBI single to plate the game's first run. Next, Salanoa stole second base and a single from Melissa Rivera scored two more to give the Warhawks a 3-0 lead after one.

ULM (14-13, 3-3) added two more runs in the second inning. The Warhawks used a throwing error by leftfielder Kourtney Cooper (Dothan, Ala./Northview HS) to tack on two. They held a 5-0 lead at the end of two innings.

Williams was chased following an RBI double from Roxane Cassel in the 4th inning. ULM scored one more on a Girardi base hit off of reliever Morgan Grove (Tampa, Fla./Tallahassee CC) to take a 7-0 lead.

It was the sixth inning before the Trojans (18-11, 1-2) recorded their first hit. After a ground out started the frame, freshman third baseman Kelly Luquette (St. Amant, La./St. Amant HS) ripped a double to the wall in left-centerfield. Back-to-back put outs on the infield stranded the Louisiana-native at second base.

Grove worked around an error to sit down the Warhawks without any damage in the seventh, setting up the final scoring attempt for Troy. The Trojans put together their best chance of the afternoon and broke through for their first run in the final frame.

Taylor Smartt (Troy, Ala./Charles Henderson HS) led off the inning with a single, but she was erased on a fielder's choice by Kacie McAllister (Dothan, Ala./Dothan HS). Randi Ashworth (Crosby, Texas/Tallahassee, CC) followed with a single and a ground out by Lauren Griffith (Baker, Fla./Baker HS) left two in scoring position with two out.

Cooper put the Trojans on the board with a single to left field to score McAllister. Michelle Hewett (Alford, Fla./Chipola JC) ended the game with a long fly out to right.

Grove tossed 3.1 innings of one-hit, scoreless ball in relief. She struck out one and walked one. Williams (7-7) finished with three walks and three strikeouts. ULM starter Tiffany Mills (7-8) recorded a complete game, four-hitter. She struck out four and walked two.

Cassel led the way for the Warhawks with a 2-for-4 day with three driven in. Cooper and Ashworth were the only Trojans to reach base twice.

Troy is in action next on Tuesday at 3 pm when it hosts Kennesaw State for a double-header.

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