TROY Clinches Spot in Tournament

Saturday, April 30

Denton, TX

2:00 p.m.

Troy University

University of North Texas

Photo by: Troy University

4/30/2011 2:59:30 PM | Softball

Trojans use long ball and pitching to run away with game one against North Texas

By: Travis Jarome

Box Score [Game 1] :: Box Score [Game 2]

DENTON, Texas (TroyTrojans.com) – The Troy University softball team needed just one win heading into the weekend to clinch a spot in the Sun Belt Conference Tournament. They didn't waste any time in getting that win out of the way, defeating North Texas 8-2 in the first game of a Sun Belt Conference doubleheader at Lovelace Stadium on Saturday morning.

TROY (29-24, 10-11 Sun Belt) used a home run by Nikki Hollett, her 19th of the season, and a 3-for-4 performance at the plate from Taylor Smartt to run to the eight runs. The duo led a 10-hit attack for the Trojans in the opening contest of the doubleheader, with eight different players collecting a hit on the day.

They also used the arm of senior Ashlyn Williams (16-13) with 10 strikeouts; moving to 18th all-time on the NCAA Division I all-time list. Williams pitched a complete game, allowing two runs - neither earned – on just three hits. She also walked three in her 21st complete game of the season.

The Trojans jumped ahead early in the contest, scoring three runs in the top of the second inning; before North Texas answered with two of their own in the bottom of the half of the inning – with all five runs of the inning being unearned to Williams and North Texas starter Brittany Simmons (10-14).

However, the big blow came in the fourth inning when Hollett took a pitch and drove it to center. The ball and North Texas centerfielder, Megan Rupp got to the wall at the same time. Rupp actually had the ball in her glove, apparently keeping ball in the park; however, when she hit the wall, the ball went over for the home run and a 4-2 TROY lead.

The Trojans put the game out of reach in the sixth inning with three additional runs to push their lead to five. After a Sarah Harris lead-off single and sacrifice bunt from Sarah Shields, Smartt singled up the middle to send Harris to third with just one out. After Kortney Cooper was hit by a pitch to load the bases, Kacie McAllister delivered an RBI single which was followed by a two-run single off the bat of Kelly Luquette.

TROY added an insurance run in the seventh on an RBI single by Smartt for the final outcome.

North Texas (21-29, 7-16 Sun Belt) used a five-run first inning to pull away in game two of the doubleheader; winning 9-1 in the nightcap.

The two teams are scheduled to meet at 12 noon on Sunday afternoon, weather permitting. Check with TroyTrojans.com for updates throughout the day for information on the game.

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