Troy Drops Opener at Appalachian State

Friday, April 6

Boone, N.C.

2:00 PM

Troy University

20-10, 0

Appalachian State

8-19, 0

Troy

Appalachian State

4/6/2018 5:41:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

By: Jace Sanders

BOONE, N.C. – Troy was unable to execute in the clutch as a 12-hit day availed just two runs in a 5-2 Sun Belt series-opening loss to Appalachian State at Smith Stadium Friday.

The Trojans (20-10, 5-5) recorded a hit in seven of the nine innings but was just 0-for-10 with runners in scoring position in the game.

Troy saw the vast majority of its offensive production from the first five batters in the lineup, who finished 11-for-19, collectively. Seniors Matt Sanders and Brody Binder both finished 3-for-4 in the game to lead the Trojans.

Starter Andrew Crane (3-3) was saddled with the loss, despite working 7.2 innings on the mound for Troy. Crane allowed five runs – four earned – on eight hits scattered around four strikeouts.

The Mountaineers (8-19, 1-9), on the other hand, made the most of their opportunities – 4-for-8 with runners in scoring position – to earn their first league win of the 2018 season. Riley Smith led the squad with a 2-for-4 performance that included two doubles, two runs scored and an RBI.

Southpaw Colin Schmid (2-3) worked out of some tight jams to take the win – he gave up two runs on 10 hits and struck out four without a walk.

Quotable – Troy head coach Mark Smartt
"We got 12 hits but none of them came in the clutch and we got just two runs. I don't think we were as prepared as we should've been. Unfortunately, we didn't match the type of intensity that is required to compete on a Friday night in this league."

Sound "Smartt" with Your Friends
With the loss, Troy fell to 0-4 this season when facing a left-handed starting pitcher in Sun Belt Conference games. The club also suffered just its third loss all year when out-hitting the opponent – all three were in league games.

Noteworthy
• Sun Belt batting average leader Matt Sanders went 3-for-4 to record his 65^th career multi-hit game and 13^th of the season.

• Brody Binder continued his tear at the plate with his 14^th hit in the last six games to raise his batting average from .222 to .322 in that period of time.

• The first five batters in Troy's lineup went 11-for-19 while the final four spots finished just 1-for-16 in the matchup.

On Deck
The Trojans and Mountaineers will continue the series with game two Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. (CT). Daren Osby will get the nod for coach Mark Smartt and the Trojans.