Troy Sweeps Doubleheader, Series from Texas State

Saturday, April 22

Troy, Ala.

3 PM

Troy University

21-17, 8-9

Texas State

22-18, 9-8

Texas State

Troy

Photo by: Meredith Gramley

Troy Sweeps Doubleheader, Series from Texas State

4/22/2017 10:09:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

By: Adam Prendergast

Game One Box | Game Two Box | Game One Highlights | Game Two Highlights | Head Coach Mark Smartt | Photo Gallery

TROY, Alabama – Outstanding pitching, timely hits and costly miscues lifted Troy to a doubleheader and series sweep of Texas State in Sun Belt action Saturday at Riddle-Pace Field.

The Trojans won the opener, 4-3, in 11 innings on a walk-off error and took the nightcap, 6-3, on the strength of Austin Crook's arm and a Trevor Davis homer.

Crook (5-1) struck out six and scattered three hits over six scoreless innings in game two, while Daren Osby allowed just one earned run in five innings of work in the opener.

Marc Skinner (3-3) picked up the win in game one with two scoreless innings out the bullpen before recording his ninth save of the season in game two. The save was the 17^th of his career, which is just one shy of tying the Troy career record.

The Trojans (22-17, 9-9 Sun Belt) belted out 11 hits in the opener, none bigger than Matt Sanders' third hit of the game. Troy's junior shortstop drove a 1-out single through the right-side of the infield to tie the game at 3-all in the bottom of the ninth inning.

Jackson Cofer led off the bottom of the 11^th with his second hit of the game; he moved to second on a sac bunt and to third an infield single from Steven Whitaker. The Bobcats (22-19, 9-9) went to the bullpen for Brayden Theriot, who before throwing a pitch misfired on a pickoff attempt allowing Cofer to score the winning run.

In the nightcap, Troy took advantage of two errors, a passed ball and three walks in the first to stake a 2-0 advantage. The lead swelled to 4-0 in the third on an RBI double from Justin Friend and RBI single off the bat of Chase Smartt before Davis hit a towering 2-run homer in the fifth to push the lead out to 6-0.

Felipe Rodriguez had a flare for the dramatic in both games for Texas State with a 3-run homer in the top of the ninth in game two and a go-ahead double in the eighth inning of the opener.

Joe Powell (1-1) was tagged with the loss in game one for Texas State after allowing two unearned runs in 4.1 innings. Starter Cam Baird (1-5) allowed four runs – two earned – in 2.2 innings to take the loss in game two.

SOUND "SMARTT" WITH YOUR FRIENDS
Game One
• Brandon Lockridge has hit safely in 22 of the last 23 games and has now reached base safely in 37-of-38 games this season.

• Steven Whitaker's triple in the second inning was Troy's fourth in the past three games and the second-consecutive game with a triple for Whitaker. He finished the game 2-for-4 with a pair of runs scored for his sixth multi-hit game of the season.

• Matt Sanders went 3-for-4 for his 14^th multi-hit game of the season and team-leading 44^th of his career. It was his 14^th career three-hit game and the second of the season.

• Jackson Cofer recorded his first career multi-hit game with a 2-for-4 performance and scored the winning run after leading off the 11^th inning with a single.

• Chase Smartt and Mason Rogers extended their team-leading reached base streaks out to 11 games.

• Troy improved to 3-2 in extra innings with the 4-3 victory in 11 innings.

• Closer Marc Skinner made the 100^th appearance of his career and picked up the victory on the mound.

Game Two
• Brandon Lockridge has hit safely in 23 of the last 24 games and has now reached base safely in 38-of-39 games this season.

• Trevor Davis snapped a streak of 16 games and 51 at-bats without a home run with his towering two-run blast in the fifth inning to extend Troy's lead to 6-0 – his fourth of the season.

• Austin Crook recorded his fifth quality start of the season as he made his eighth start of the year – 6 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 6 K.

• Troy improved to 18-7 on the season when its starting pitcher goes at least five innings in a game and 11-5 when a Trojan hits a home run.

• Marc Skinner picked up his ninth save of the season to move into sole possession of fourth place on the single season list. It was his 17^th career save tying him with Josh Dew for second all-time in Troy history, just one shy of Josh Strom's school record. The appearance was Skinner's 101^st of his career, just one shy of Nate Hill's school record.

• Chase Smartt and Mason Rogers extended their team-leading reached base streaks out to 12 games.

WHAT'S UP NEXT?
Troy travels to Auburn for a mid-week tilt with No. 10 Auburn at Plainsman Park. Troy is 5-2 in mid-week contests this season, including an 12-11 victory over Alabama back on April 4. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. and the game will be broadcast on SEC Network+.