Trojans Grab Series Win Over FIU

Sunday, April 1

Troy, Ala.

1:00 p.m.

Troy University

Florida International University

Photo by: Kevin Glackmeyer

4/1/2012 3:30:00 PM | Softball

By: Matt Mays

Box Score

TROY, Ala. – The Troy softball team used one big inning and worked out of some jams to take the final game of the series from FIU on Sunday, 6-1, at the Troy Softball Complex.

The win came on the heels of a doubleheader split on Saturday and gave the Trojans (22-11, 4-6) their first Sun Belt series win of the season. The Panthers (16-16, 4-3) outhit Troy 7-4 but stranded 10 runners as Jaycee Affeldt and Ashley Rainey pitched well in pressure situations.

Affeldt (6-5) got the start and went 4.0 innings, giving up one run on five hits while Rainey worked the final three innings to pick up her first career save while giving up just two hits and not walking any.

The two freshman were also the story at the plate as they accounted for five of Troy's six RBI on the day, including a grand slam from Affeldt.

Mariah Dawson (12-8) was tagged with the loss for FIU after throwing 3.0 innings and giving up six runs, all earned. Dawson, who entered the weekend leading the Sun Belt in strikeouts, did not fan any batters on the day.

Affeldt worked out of bases loaded jams in the first and third inning and kept the game scoreless before the Trojans broke things open in the third inning with six runs, including a big blast from Affeldt to help her own cause.

Rainey got the scoring started with a one-out solo home run, her third dinger of the season. The Trojans then loaded the bases with a Chelsea Eytel single and two walks before Nikki Hollett was hit with a pitch to bring in the second run of the game. The RBI was the seventh of the weekend for Hollett.

After a fielder's choice cut down a runner at home, Affeldt came up with the bases still juiced and the Trojans still leading 2-0. The true freshman put Dawson's 1-2 offering onto the left field porch and gave Troy a 6-0 lead.

The grand slam was the first of the season for Troy and the first home run of Affeldt's Troy career. The Trojans now have nine different players on the roster with a home run this season.

Affeldt gave up a leadoff single to open the fifth and was relieved by Rainey. Rojas picked up an RBI double off of Rainey to plate FIU's first run and make it 6-1. The run was charged to Affeldt.

The Trojans return to the diamond on Tuesday when they travel to Birmingham to take on UAB at 4:00 p.m. The Trojans continue Sun Belt play next weekend in Bowling Green, Ky., as they take on WKU on Friday and Saturday.

For more information on Troy Athletics, visit TroyTrojans.com. Fans can also find Troy on Twitter at @TroyAthletics or become fans on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/TroyAthletics. For in-game updates, follow Troy Softball on Twitter at @TroySBall.