Troy Sweeps Day Two of Trojan Classic

Saturday, February 18

Troy, Ala.

3 PM

Troy University

6-2

Longwood

1-7

Longwood

Troy

2/18/2017 10:47:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

By: Grace Bolin

TROY, Alabama – The Troy softball team wrapped day two of the Trojan Classic with wins over Longwood and Samford as the Trojans improved to 7-2 on the season.

Troy 9, Longwood 3

Troy got off to a hot start as they scored two runs in the first inning after Becca Hartley singled up the middle. A few more hits in the inning from Stephanie Snyder and Meg Willis allowed Hartley and Katie Webb to score.

The Trojan defense came out strong as they were able to hold the Lancers scoreless through four innings. In the bottom of the second, Troy dominated as they scored five runs to take 7-0 lead. A single from Kaylee Hussey, a double from Grace Mirly and a hit by pitch loaded the bases for Troy. A base hit from Webb allowed a run to score as Snyder stepped back up to the plate. Snyder blasted her fourth double of the year, a team high, to bring in three runs for the Trojans. Sophomore Madeline Porter drove in Snyder from second with a base hit down the right field line.

Porter stepped back up to the plate in the fourth inning with runners on first and second and hit a two RBI single to but Troy up by nine. Just short of ending the game on a run rule, the Lancers scored two runs in the top of the fifth after a couple of runners were able to reach on errors by the defense before Troy could get out of the inning. The Lancers brought in another run in the top of the sixth before Troy was able to seal the game.

Rachel Rigney Brown earned her third win in the circle after she pitched a full seven innings, only allowing two hits and throwing five strikeouts to improve to 3-1 on the year.

Troy 6, Samford 2

Troy continued to excel as they defeated Samford, 6-2, in their last game of the night. The Trojans got on the board first as a lead off walk by Hartley and an error by the defense allowed a run to score.

No runs were allowed by either team in the second inning, and Samford brought in one run in the top of the third to tie the game at 1-1. However, Troy did not allow the game to be tied for long. Hartley stepped up to the plate and quickly answered back with a lead-off solo home run. With the momentum in their favor, doubles from Meg Willis and Carli Kayler allowed two runs to score. Erica Davis also got on base with a double and and RBI single from Hussey drove her home to give Troy a 5-1 lead.

Samford put another run on the board after the Bulldogs were able to capitalize on a Troy fielding error, but another RBI single from Hussey sealed the game away for Troy.

Claire Graves got the start in the circle, and was relieved by Rigney after pitching 3.1 innings and throwing one strikeout. Rigney earned the win to improve to 4-1 on the season.

NOTEWORTHY
• Nine of the ten starters in Troy's line up got a hit in the first game of the day against Longwood. Three players had multi-hit games, led by Erica Davis with three hits.
• Becca Hartley now has four home runs on the year and 28 career.
• Stephanie Snyder leads the team with five doubles on the season.
• Freshman Grace Mirly earned her first career start against Longwood and posted one hit.

QUOTABLE
"I thought that we had two quality team wins today," head coach Beth Mullins said. "Our pitching was steady the whole day and we had a lot of quality at bats that turned into runs. It's championship Sunday tomorrow, and we need to bring the focus and fight to finish off the weekend."

UP NEXT
The Trojans wrap up the Trojan Classic with the final game on Sunday against Jacksonville. Game time is set for 12:30 p.m. CT.