TROY Hits Field at Bayer CropScience Classic

Game Notes | Tournament Central Page (live stats and recaps) | Live Video

FRESNO, Calif. – Seven games into a 12-game road trip, the Troy University softball program gears up for the final five games of the trip – all taking place in the Bayer CropScience Classic on the campus of Fresno State University beginning Thursday afternoon.

Troy (15-6), winners of four straight, hit the field first against Idaho State University on Thursday afternoon at 4:30 pm (PST), the only game on the day for the Trojans. They will take on Bradley for the third time in four weeks at 9 am (PST) on Friday; followed by a game against Drake at 11:30 am (PST).

The toughest day of the tournament, and the trip, could come on Saturday as the Trojans face 11th-ranked California at 3 pm (PST); followed by a contest against host Fresno State, which has flirted with the Top 25 this season, at 7 pm (PST).

The Trojans enter the tournament following three disappointing losses in the opening contests of the Eller Media Classic; dropping two one-run contests (to UNLV and Kansas) in the process. The Trojans responded with a victory over San Jose State and Bradley to close out the tournament, then sweeping Cal State Fullerton on Tuesday on the road to run their streak to four.

Troy has played four ranked teams all ready this season, recording a 1-3 record against those teams as they prepare to face California and Fresno State. Although they have dropped three contests to ranked teams, two of those have been one-run contests as they fell to Auburn 2-1 and Kansas 7-6.

The Trojans are led this season by junior Nikki Hollett (Melbourne, Australia/Wesley College), who is atop every major statistical category in the Sun Belt Conference. She is hitting .487 this season with a career-high 14 home runs. She has also connected for eight doubles, two triples and 35 runs batted in.

Junior Hayden Gann (Hoover, Ala./Hoover HS) is also hitting above 400 as she hit for an average of .429 this season. The junior has connected for five doubles, five home runs and 19 runs batted in. Freshman Taylor Smartt (Troy, Ala./Charles Henderson HS) is hitting .391 for the Trojans in her first collegiate season, while Sarah Shields (Schereville, Ind./Lake Central HS) is at .387; Michelle Hewett (Alford, Fla./Chipola JC is at .360 and freshman Kacie McAllister (Dothan, Ala./Dothan HS) is at .300 this season for the Trojans.

Troy has also tied the mark for long balls from last season in just 21 games this year. The Trojans have all ready hit 28 total home runs as a team, including going back-to-back five times – with Hollett being involved in all five, once with Kelly Luquette (St. Amant, La./St. Amant HS) and the other four times with Gann.

On the mound, senior Ashlyn Williams (Hattiesburg, Miss./Oak Grove HS) responded after her disappointing weekend at UNLV with a complete game shutout of Cal State Fullerton on Tuesday afternoon. The senior allowed just two hits and struck out 10, as the Trojans won 4-0. So far this season, the Sun Belt Conference Preseason Pitcher of the Year is 4-3 with a save. She has recorded a 2.82 earned run average in 49.2 innings, while striking out 80 batters.

Junior Morgan Grove (Tampa, Fla./Tallahassee CC) has recorded a 2.91 earned run average in 12 appearances this season for the Trojans. She has recorded a 6-1 record in 43.1 innings pitched, while recording 17 strikeouts.

Live stats and live video will be provided by Fresno State University on the tournament central page, located at the top of page.

For all the latest news on Troy University Athletics, follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/TroyAthletics. You can also follow Troy Softball on Twitter at /TroySoftball and become a fan on Facebook.

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TROY Hits Field at Bayer CropScience Classic

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