Troy Drops Series Opener to Georgia Southern

Friday, April 7

Troy, Ala.

6 PM

Troy University

15-13, 4-6

Georgia Southern

19-11, 6-4

Georgia Southern

Troy

Photo by: Joey Meredith

Troy Drops Series Opener to Georgia Southern

4/7/2017 9:26:00 PM | Baseball

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By: Jace Sanders

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TROY, Alabama – A four-run first inning spelled demise for Troy, who fell to Georgia Southern, 5-3, in the first game of the Sun Belt series at Riddle-Pace Field Friday night.

The Trojans (15-13, 4-6) fell behind early but battled back within striking distance. Trevor Davis continued his hot streak at the plate with a home run and two RBIs amongst a 2-for-3 night; he is now 8-for-15 with 10 RBIs over the last four games.

Brandon Lockridge and Chase Smartt added a hit a piece to bring the Troy total to four on a night where hits were at a premium.

The Trojans had a prime opportunity to cut into the lead in the bottom of the sixth inning. Smartt came to the plate with the bases loaded and ripped a line drive that was heading towards the right-field line. However, first baseman Ryan Cleveland used 6-foot-5 of his frame to snare the liner and end the threat.

Daren Osby (4-3) suffered the loss for the second Friday in a row, allowing five runs – four earned – on six hits and dealing five strikeouts in six innings on the mound. After an unearned run in the fourth, Osby and the Trojan bullpen combined for five innings of two-hit shutout work.

Georgia Southern (19-11, 6-4) delivered an early blow with a four-run first, sparked by a bases-clearing double from CJ Brazil – who finished the game 1-for-3 with three RBIs.

The Eagles' Jacob Condra-Bogen (3-0) only allowed three runs on four hits in six innings of work to remain undefeated on the season. Landon Hughes earned his fourth save of the season with a shut down ninth inning that included a strikeout.

QUOTABLE
"They came out ready to go," Troy head coach Mark Smartt said. "The game was on the line with two outs in the first and their guy came through with a double. We had a great chance to win; we fought until the very end. I expect our team to come out tomorrow and hit the ball and maybe some of those hard hit balls will find a crease tomorrow."

SOUND "SMARTT" WITH YOUR FRIENDS
• Brandon Lockridge extended his hitting streak to 14 games with a single in the sixth inning; he has now reached base safely in all 28 this season.

• Trevor Davis' fourth-inning home run snapped a streak of nine games and 36 at-bats without a homer; it was also his first home run in a weekend series.

• Trevor Davis added a bunt single in the at-bat following his home run for his eighth multi-hit game of the season … Davis is now batting 8-for-15 with 10 RBIs over the past four games.

WHAT'S UP NEXT?
The Trojans will look to even the series on the arm of senior lefty Austin Crook (4-0, 3.15). First pitch for game two is set for 3 p.m. Saturday at Riddle-Pace Field.