Big Night For Bryant Caps Home Finale

Tuesday, May 17

Riddle-Pace Field

6:00 pm

Troy University

Samford University

Photo by: Kevin Glackmeyer

5/17/2011 10:50:25 PM | Baseball

Senior Homers Twice, Drives in Six in Win

By: Taylor Bryan

BOX SCORE

TROY – Adam Bryant made the most of his final game at Riddle-Pace Field on Tuesday night. The senior was 3-for-4 at the plate with a pair of home runs as he led Troy to a 14-1 win over in-state rival Samford.

Bryant, who was playing the final home game of his illustrious four-year career for the Trojans (38-15), doubled in the three-run first inning, then homered in the sixth and eighth innings. He was also intentionally walked in the fourth.

“I really couldn't ask for anything more tonight,” Bryant said. “You try to go out big at home and some balls flew out of the park for me. I'm pretty happy.”

The home runs were his eighth and ninth of the season and moved him into fourth place in Troy history with 39 for his career. His six runs batted in upped his total to 179 the second-highest total for a Trojan in school history.

“It was a big night for a lot of reasons,” head coach Bobby Pierce said. “I couldn't be more proud for this senior group and what they've been able to do leading this team. A lot of those guys had big nights themselves, mainly Adam Bryant, who has been with us four years. He's set a lot of records in his day and he leaves in his final game with two homers in his last two at-bats at Riddle-Pace.

"I couldn't be more proud of these guys as we take this momentum from tonight on into an awfully big series down in Mobile.”

All in all, the Pensacola, Fla.-native finished with six RBI's as he helped his team to a program best 30th victory at home in 2011. The Trojans established a new Troy record by posting a 30-5 record at home this season.

“I really was unaware that tonight's game had a chance to be a Troy baseball home win record with 30 wins,” Pierce said. “This team has played so well at home and there are a lot of reasons for that including the crowd and our fans staying behind them and cheering them on along with our senior group. [The seniors] really played great at home and inspired our team to play great at home.”

Bryant wasn't the only offensive star on Tuesday. Reigning Sun Belt Player of the Week Tyler Hannah was 3-for-4 and scored five times all while knocking in a pair of runs. The junior third baseman increased his Sun Belt-best doubles total to 27 with a pair of two-base knocks and also recorded his fourth homer of the campaign.

The Trojans pounded out 14 hits and were aided by four Samford errors as they scored three in the first inning, then two in the second to take control and never look back.

Lost in the offensive fireworks was a solid job on the mound by sophomore William Teal and the Troy bullpen. Teal totaled career highs for innings (4.0+) and pitches (73) as he improved to 4-0 on the season.

Teal scattered four hits and allowed one run with two walks. He didn't issue a walk until the fifth inning. Four Troy relievers combined to shutout the Bulldogs over the final five innings and close out the win.

Senior second baseman T.J. Rivera also had three big hits for the Trojans, including a two-run single in the three-run sixth inning. Brandon Miller plated the lone Samford run on a fourth inning solo home run.

Lex Rutledge (5-5) took the loss for Samford (32-21). He allowed five runs in 1.2 innings.

The Trojans are in action next on Thursday when they begin a three-game series with South Alabama in Mobile. First pitch for the opener is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Stanky Field.

NOTES: Catcher Todd McRae celebrated his birthday on Tuesday, but saw his streak of consecutive games reaching base end at 28 … The streak was a season-long for Troy … Junior Blake Martz made his first start of the season at first base … The Huntsville-native has made four starts behind the plate and 36 as the designated hitter … Tuesday night's attendance was 1,054 … Bryant now has six home runs and 19 RBI for his career against Samford … He set a career high with three homers against the Birmingham school in 2009 … Troy's 30-5 (.857) mark at Riddle-Pace Field in 2011 breaks the mark of 29-7 (.806) set in 1990.