Crane; Skinner Combine to Shutout Georgia Southern

Sunday, April 9

Troy, Ala.

1 PM

Troy University

16-14, 5-7

Georgia Southern

20-12, 7-5

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Georgia Southern	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	4	0
Troy	0	1	1	0	0	1	0	1	X	4	9	0

Photo by: Colin Edwards

Crane; Skinner Combine to Shutout Georgia Southern

4/9/2017 3:55:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score Box Score Photo Gallery Highlights

By: Jace Sanders

Box Score | Photo Gallery | Highlights

TROY, Alabama – Andrew Crane struck out a career-high seven batters in 8.1 shutout innings as Troy bounced back to win Sunday's Sun Belt series finale, 4-0, over Georgia Southern at Riddle-Pace Field.

Crane (1-1) earned his first career win in only his second career start – scattering only three hits and allowing only two walks. He turned the ball over to Marc Skinner with one out in the ninth, who was able to close out the game on the mound.

A tip of the hat to Andrew Crane who struck out a career-high seven batters over his 8.1 innings; we bring them all to you here #theTROYway pic.twitter.com/1qfmJ42wrG
— Troy Baseball (@TroyTrojansBSB) April 9, 2017

Brandon Lockridge and Matt Sanders led the Trojans (16-14, 5-7) at the plate – each turned in 2-for-4 performances. Drew Frederic made numerous plays on both sides of the ball, making key defensive plays in the field and driving in the final run with an eighth inning double off the Troy Bank & Trust target on the right field wall.

Georgia Southern (20-12, 7-5) was held to only six base runners in the game on four hits – four singles by four different Eagles.

Chase Cohen (2-3) suffered the loss after allowing three runs on six hits and three walks in six innings of work.

QUOTABLE
"It's hard to lose if you don't give up a run," Troy head coach Mark Smartt said. "I was really proud of Andrew; he made it to the ninth and he was just cruising. I'm proud of our team for staying with it on Sunday after dropping the first two for the second week in a row."

"I just wanted to give us a chance to win," starter Andrew Crane said. "I was comfortable, Chase called a great game and we went right after them. I got tired in the ninth but I trusted Skinner to come in and close the game out for me."

"He was up there competing the whole time," freshman Drew Frederic said about Crane. "I enjoy playing behind him because you know he's going to throw strikes and give us chances to make plays."

SOUND "SMARTT" WITH YOUR FRIENDS
• Second baseman Brandon Lockridge extended his hitting streak to 15 games and has now reached base in all 30 of Troy's games this season after he led off the second inning with a single.

• Sophomore Brandon Lockridge recorded his team-leading 14th multi-hit game of the season and 29th of his career as he went 2-for-4 on Sunday.

• Junior Matt Sanders recorded his second multi-hit game of the weekend, 11th of the season and 41st of his career after he went 2-for-4 with a double on Sunday.

• Troy starter Andrew Crane registered career-highs in innings pitched with 8.1 and with seven strikeouts; his previous highs were 4.2 innings and five strikeouts.

• Troy had four doubles in the game, which is tied for the Trojans' second-highest output of the season. Troy had five doubles in the finale against Hofstra and four two-baggers in its big victory over Alabama on Tuesday night.

• Marc Skinner made his 97th career appearance on the mound moving him within five of tying Nate Hill for the all-time Troy record; Skinner is one appearance shy of Thomas Austin for second place.

WHAT'S UP NEXT?
Troy will travel to Montgomery Tuesday for a mid-week tilt with Alabama State. First pitch from Wheeler-Watkins Baseball Complex is set for 6 p.m.