Trojans Cap Perfect Weekend With 9-2 Win

Sunday, February 12

Hammond, La.

9:00 a.m.

Troy University

University of Akron

Photo by: Troy University

2/12/2012 1:13:00 PM | Softball

By: Matt Mays

Box Score

HAMMOND, La. – The Troy softball complete a perfect weekend at the Southeastern Louisiana Lion Classic as they knocked off Akron, 9-2, in their tournament finale on Sunday morning.

For the fourth time in five games, a new Trojan pitcher picked up her first collegiate win as Michaela Hamilton picked up the win for the Trojans (5-0) after coming in to relieve starter Sarah Thomas.

Also for the fourth time on the weekend, the Troy offense surpassed the eight-run mark, and as they have for much of the weekend, they didn't waste any time doing it.

Hannah Renn, hitting leadoff for the first time this year, put one of Brittany Maurer's first offerings over the centerfield fence to give Troy an early 1-0 lead. However, that wasn't the only bomb of the inning as, three batters later, Hayden Gann hit her second homer of the weekend to plate herself and Michelle Hewett and give Troy a 3-0 lead.

The second blast chased Maurer (2-2) after just 0.1 innings but the Trojans weren't done in the first.

Two singles and sacrifice bunt allowed Sarah Shields to pick up an RBI single and give the Trojans a 4-0 lead before starter Sarah Thomas even stepped foot in the circle.

Thomas cruised through the first two innings but was saddled with an unearned run in the third that got the Zips within three at 4-1. Thomas gave way to Hamilton (1-0) to start the fourth and was therefore ineligible for the win.

The Trojans surrendered another unearned run in the fourth and the Zips were within two at 4-2, but the Troy bats came back to life in the fifth.

Two walks set the stage for Shields who delivered a three-run blast, Troy's third homer of the game, to put the Trojans up 7-2. Hamilton gave up a single and hit a batter in the fifth and was lifted with one out for Ashley Rainey who closed things out for the Trojans.

Rainey pitched the remainder of the game in shutout fashion, giving her 16.2 shutout innings in her first collegiate action.

Troy tacked on two more in the sixth thanks to RBIs from Sarah Harris and Kacie McAllister to give Troy their final 9-2 advantage.

At the plate, Troy pounded out 13 hits as a team while giving up just four to Akron (2-2). Taylor Smartt led Troy with her second 3-for-4 game in as many days while Shields posted a team-high four RBIs.

The Trojans return to the field next weekend when they host the Quality Inn Classic at the Troy Softball Complex on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The six-team tournament gets underway at 9:00 a.m. on Friday morning with the marquee match-up coming on Friday night when Troy looks for a 6-0 start by hosting No.5 Missouri.

For a full preview of the Quality Inn Classic, be sure to check with TroyTrojans.com. Fans can also find Troy on Twitter at @TroyAthletics or become fans on Facebook.