TROY falls to Fifth-Ranked Alabama

Tuesday, April 12

Troy, AL

6:00 p.m.

Troy University

(5) University of Alabama

Photo by: Troy University

4/12/2011 9:08:27 PM | Softball

Ashlyn Williams strikes out 10 in the loss to the Tide

By: Travis Jarome

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TROY, Ala. (TroyTrojans.com) – After a tear-filled ceremonial first pitch, fifth-ranked Alabama pulled away from Troy University 5-2 at the Troy Softball Complex in non-conference action on Tuesday night.

After Alabama (38-5) and TROY (25-19) were announced and the national anthem was played, Morgan Hasty – the daughter of two former Trojans and battling cancer – took to the mound and threw a perfect strike that drew a standing ovation from the record crowd of 1,351.

Alabama struck early as they put three runs on the board in the top of the first inning. Kayla Braud led off the game with a single off Troy starter Ashlyn Williams (12-12). She recorded her 43rd stolen base of the season, and she later scored when Whitney Larsen drove the ball to the right that freshman Kacie McAllister reached over her head, grabbing it out of the air, and making the catch. However, Braud was able to score all the way from second, giving Alabama a 1-0 lead.

They were able to push the lead to 3-0 after Jackie Traina singled up the middle, followed by a Cassie Reilly-Boccia home run – her ninth of the season.

However, the Trojans added a pair of their own runs in the bottom of the first with two outs. Nikki Hollett blasted a two-strike pitch off of Traina (15-3) that never cleared more than six feet off the ground. The ball hit off the centerfield fence for Hollett's 14th double of the season. Junior Hayden Gann followed that with a double of her own with two strikes, as she hit the ball to the right centerfield gap to score Hollett and trim the lead to 3-1.

The Trojans weren't done in the first however. Sarah Harris got in on the act of driving in runs as she singled off of Traina's glove and into leftfield, scoring Gann from second and trimming the lead to 3-2.

Alabama added another run in the third to extend their lead to 4-2, before scoring another in the sixth for the final margin. The Trojans had a chance in the seventh as they got two runners on, one in scoring position, and the tying run at the plate; however, they weren't able to push the run across.

Traina went six innings in the start for Alabama, as she picked up the win allowing two runs off of four hits and striking out eight. The freshman set down 16 consecutive batters, before Gann singled to lead off the seventh inning. Kelsi Dunne came on in the seventh to record her second save of the season, striking out four batters.

Williams pitched a complete game, allowing five runs off of 12 hits; while striking out 10 in the loss. Gann led the Trojans at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a run scored and RBI; while Hollett and Harris each picked up a hit.

TROY returns to Sun Belt Conference action this weekend as they take on Florida Atlantic beginning Saturday at 1 pm with a doubleheader. Admission is free to all home softball games.

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