Mullins Notches 100 Wins, Troy Destroys ULM

Saturday, March 17

Monroe, La.

1 PM

Troy University

16-9, 0

ULM

11-10, 0

TROY

UL Monroe

Mullins Notches 100 Wins, Troy Destroys ULM

3/17/2018 7:25:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

By: Grace Bolin

MONROE, Louisiana- The bats were on fire for Troy (17-9, 3-2 SBC) as the Trojans hit four home runs, including a grand slam to power them over ULM (11-11, 1-4 SBC) in the doubleheader on Saturday. Head coach Beth Mullins earned her 100^th career win with the 14-3 victory in game two.

Game one: Troy 2, ULM 0
Game one of the doubleheader featured a battle of the defenses as Troy only put two runs across the plate, but with a strong performance from Annie Willis in the circle, it was more than enough to get win number one.

Stephanie Snyder reached on a ULM fielding error and advanced on a passed ball to get in scoring position. A single from Kaylee Hussey and a sacrifice fly from senior Erica Davis allowed Snyder to put Troy's first run on the board.

Hope Hernandez highlighted the first game of the day sending the first long ball of her career over the left field wall, as Troy took its final 2-0 lead in the game. ULM didn't have an answer at the plate facing Willis.

With the win, Willis improves to 6-2 on the year and delivered her second complete game shutout of the season. She only allowed two hits in the game and fanned five batters.

Game two: Troy 14, ULM 3

The Trojans put up their highest number of runs for the season in the 14-3 win in the final game of the day. Three Trojans hit a home run, including a grand slam from freshman Bailey Taylor, as Troy made a statement in Monroe.

A bunt single from Taylor Corbett followed by a ULM error in the first inning put a runner in scoring position for Snyder. With two outs, Snyder doubled into left field scoring Corbett from second for Troy's first run of the game.

Sophomore Brooke Echols lead-off in the second with a home run into left field to give the Trojans a 2-0 lead. A hit by pitch and a bunt single put two more runners on base. Another sacrifice fly, this time from Logan Calhoun scored Davis from third before the Warhawks ended the frame.

The Trojans had three scoreless innings and a double followed by three back-to-back base hits allowed ULM to plate its first run of the day, but the Trojan defense got out of trouble leaving the bases loaded in the fourth.

Madeline Porter put the momentum back on Troy's side leading off the five-hit and four-run sixth inning, launching her first career home run over the centerfield wall. Hussey kept the bats hot with a base-hit as Kyndal Riddick entered the game to run. A double from Davis put runners in scoring position for Troy with only one out. Hernandez came through with a big-time single, scoring Riddick as Troy took a 5-1 lead. A few more errors on the Warhawks allowed Davis to plate a run, and an RBI-single from Calhoun drove Hernandez home for the last run of the inning.

ULM answered back with two runs of its own in the home half of the sixth, cutting Troy's lead to four, but again left the bases loaded as Troy got out of the jam.

Troy iced the game with six hits and seven runs in the final inning. Snyder started things off with a double and Porter followed with a base hit. Another Warhawk error pushed Snyder across the plate. A single from Hussey scored Porter from second. A walk and a base-hit juiced the bases as Taylor stepped up to the plate to pinch hit. On a 0-2 count, she blasted a ball over the wall, clearing the bases bringing in Troy's final four runs.

Peyton Glover earned the win (6-2) and Blasingame shut the door with a save.

QUOTABLE
"Coming in to pinch hit, I knew a couple extra runs would be nice to have so my goal was to score them," freshman Bailey Taylor said. "When I saw the pitch coming I knew it was inside so I jumped on it as quick as I could. I'm glad it was a grand slam to give the team some extra insurance runs. Kynsley (Blasingame) did an amazing job finishing the game out for us in the circle."

"I thought we did a good job of making adjustments at the plate from game one to game two," Mullins said. "We were able to hit the ball with a lot more power in the second game of the day and I think it paid off on the score board. Our pitching and defense were consistently solid all day long and that is something we have done a good job of all year."

"I am extremely thankful that all 100 wins have come at Troy University," Mullins said. "I also want to say 'congrats' to my three assistants and our three seniors. Lastly I want to thank all of the players throughout these 4 years that have had a hand in all 100 of these wins!! I am proud to be a Trojan!"

UP NEXT
Troy will go for the sweep against ULM on Sunday at noon.