Trojans Defeat Murray State; Fall to SIUE in Trojan Classic

Saturday, February 24

Troy, Ala.

4:30 PM

Troy University

7-5

SIUE

4-0

SIUE

Troy

Trojans Defeat Murray State; Fall to SIUE in Trojan Classic

2/24/2018 9:59:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

By: Grace Bolin

TROY, Alabama – Logan Calhoun and Madeline Porter led the Trojans offensively as Calhoun went 3-for-3 and Porter went 2-for-2 in Troy's 3-2 win over Murray State. Katie Webb blasted her second home run of the season in the first game of the day, but Troy (8-5) couldn't overcome SIUE as the Trojans dropped 5-2.

Game one: SIUE 5, Troy 2

A lead-off home run in the second inning lifted SIUE (4-0) over Troy early in the game. Webb hit a single to centerfield in the first inning, but Troy struggled in the second and third innings offensively.

SIUE added to its score as back-to-back singles drove in a run, before the Troy defense got out of the inning. Webb answered back again at the plate with a solo home run to put the Trojans within one.

The Cougars continued to strike back, adding two more runs as the lead-off batter was walked, followed by a single and two-RBI double from Zoe Schafer, giving SIUE a 4-1 lead in the top of the fifth. Troy rallied, with two hits from Brooke Echols and Kaylee Hussey, but three straight outs left the pair stranded on first and second.

A fielder's choice RBI gave the Cougars their final run of the game in the top of the sixth. Erica Davis posted a double to get the rally started for the Trojans, followed by a bunt single from Taylor Corbett to place the runners on the corners with two outs. A wild pitch allowed Davis to score but a pop fly ended the inning before Troy could bring anyone else home.

Porter kept the momentum going in the bottom of the seventh with a two-out double and making it to third on a passed ball, but the Cougar defense held tight as SIUE kept runners from scoring, taking the game 5-2.

Claire Graves started in the circle, and took the loss to move to 3-4 on the year. Freshman Kynsley Rae Blasingame made her first home appearance striking out three batters and only allowing one run to cross the plate.

Game two: Troy 3, Murray State 2

Following a 21-0 win in their game against Tennessee Tech, The Racers were not able to overcome strong hitting and powerful pitching from the Trojans.

Peyton Glover continued to impress in the circle with 10 strikeouts, tying a career high. She was backed by the offense, as Calhoun, Porter and Davis combined for all six hits while Calhoun took care of all three runs.

A lead-off single for Calhoun got the ball rolling and a sacrifice bunt from Porter put Calhoun 60 feet away from an early run. With one out, Webb followed with a well-placed sacrifice bunt allowing Calhoun to step across the plate for the early lead.

Glover was dealing in the circle, throwing three straight swinging strikeouts to Murray State in the top of the second inning, putting the bats back into the Trojan' hands. Calhoun posted her second hit of the night with a single in the third, followed by an RBI double from Porter allowing the sophomore to score for the second time, giving Troy a 2-0 lead.

The Racers answered back with a two-run shot over the center field wall to even things up at two. But Troy felt Déjà vu as Calhoun singled and handed the bat back to Porter for another RBI double to right field in the bottom of the fifth, gaining a one-run lead.

Glover shut the door with three more strikeouts in the top of the seventh, allowing Troy to improve to 8-5 on the year.

UP NEXT
The 2018 Trojan Classic will come to an end on Sunday as Troy will have a rematch with Tennessee Tech at approximately 11:30. Due to potential bad weather, game times have been adjusted as first pitch for Murray State vs. UAB will begin at 9 a.m.

For more on Troy softball, visit TroyTrojans,.com and follow @TroyAthletics on Twitter.