Trojans Split Doubleheader on Saturday

Friday, April 29

Boca Raton, FL

5:30 pm

Troy University

Florida Atlantic University

4/30/2011 7:33:24 PM | Baseball

Troy Goes for Series Win on Sunday

By: Taylor Bryan

BOX SCORE (Game 1) :: BOX SCORE (Game 2)

BOCA RATON – No. 22 Troy picked up right where they left off in the resumption of game one and held on for a 9-7 win, but game two of the day would tell a different tale as the Trojans fell 15-9 in Sun Belt action on Saturday.

Not even a 17 hour rain delay could stop Troy junior Tyler Ray from picking up his 10th win. The Hoover native came back after the delay on Friday night and tossed 2.1 more innings to finish with the resumed game with 5.1 innings total with four earned runs allowed.

“That was a game that we jumped out to an early lead,” head coach Bobby Pierce said. “As we knew they would, FAU battled back and made it a tight, good baseball game. Nate Hill came in to relieve [Ray], who like a champ, tried to come back from last night. He got a little work done for us, but really didn't have his best stuff.

“So [Hill] came in and struck out four in his three and change work. I thought he was outstanding, and he put us in a position to win the game.”

Ray improved to 10-0 on the year and became the first Troy hurler to post double-digit wins since 2005 when Brent Adcock posted an 11-3 mark. He also kept pace with other national leaders by earning his 10th positive decision.

Troy's offense also didn't mind the delay, as it bounced back to post three runs in the pre-empted fourth inning. When play resumed, Tyler Hannah was standing at second base. Adam Bryant doubled in the first at-bat back from the delay to plate Hannah, then two batter later Drew Prichard homered for the third time in four games to give the Trojans a 9-3 lead.

The Owls (25-18, 12-8) responded with a pair of runs in both the fifth and sixth innings to close within two, but Hill entered from the bullpen and closed out the game with 3.2 innings of scoreless relief to pick up his second save of the season.

Hill struck out four and walked one while surrendering just one hit.

Hannah and T.J. Rivera each had three hits for Troy (31-12, 15-6) in the opening game of the series.

Ryan Garton took the loss for Florida Atlantic. He was tagged for six earned runs in just 1.2 innings pitched. Alex Hudak led FAU with four RBI on a 2-for-5 game.

In game two, FAU wasted no time getting their offense going and the Trojans played catch-up for the rest of the day.

The Owls chased Troy starter Ryan Sorce (5-4) after just 1.1 innings pitched. He allowed nine hits and eight earned runs with two walks. It would take six Troy pitchers to complete the game.

Despite FAU holding an 8-0 advantage after two innings, the Trojans refused to quit and were able to pull quite a few positives out of the 15-9 loss.

“Game two, we really could just never get anything going on the mound,” Pierce said. “FAU got a lot of hits of all varieties. I really liked the way we stayed in that ball game and competed. I feel like that will give us a better opportunity on Championship Sunday.”

Boone Shear replaced Ali Knowles mid-way through the contest and had a big day with three RBI. Shear hit a pair of balls hard, the first was caught on a highlight grab by Owls' centerfielder Colby Gratton, but the other resulted in a three run home run – Shear's first of the season.

Blake Martz got the start at catcher in game two to give Troy's regular backstop, Todd McRae, a break in the heat of south Florida. Martz responded with his best game since early April, rapping out two hits and driving in three runs. Two of the runs were scored on his sixth inning homer, his first since March 27.

Also getting some solid work off the bench was freshman first baseman Kyle Brown, who went 2-for-3 with an RBI.
“We were talking about that in the dugout,” Pierce said. “You never what the situation is, or what type game you are in, when guys that you know are very capable of helping us offensively will come through. All three of those guys got some good work done. I'm very proud of them.”

Include in the six man pitching ensemble was a solid 2.1 innings by junior left-hander A.J. Howard. The Kinsey, Ala. native allowed just two hits with a strikeout on 35 pitches.

“Howard was also very good,” Pierce said. “He's starting to throw again like he did before his shoulder injury. There are a lot of positives that some people have trouble finding, but I'm certainly aware of those and very proud of those guys.”

Howard ran his streak of consecutive scoreless innings to 6.2 to start this season.

Paul Davis (6.0 IP, 7 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, 6 K) picked up the win for FAU to improve to 8-1 this season. Andy Mee and Gratton paced the Owls at the plate with four hits apiece.

Troy and FAU will play the rubber match of the series on Sunday beginning at 12 p.m. CST. Freshman Jimmy Hodgskin (2-3, 3.67 ERA) will toe the rubber for the Trojans against R.J. Alvarez (5-3, 4.50 ERA).