Troy Drops Midweek, Heads to Jacksonville Wednesday

Tuesday, March 12

Birmingham, Ala.

6:30 PM

Troy University

9-7

UAB

10-7

Troy

UAB

Troy Drops Midweek, Heads to Jacksonville Wednesday

3/12/2019 10:44:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

By: Troy Athletics Communications

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – UAB used a five-run second inning to gain an early lead and never looked back as it downed Troy, 8-6, at Regions Field Tuesday night.

The Trojans (9-7) struck first when Hunter Mercer laced a one-out double down the left field line in the second, then scored two batters later on a Dalton Sinquefield RBI single. Mercer added an RBI single late to finish 2-for-4 with a double and a run-driven-in.

The lead was short-lived as the Blazers (10-8) rattled off five runs on four hits and a Troy error, highlighted by a Colton Schultz two RBI single. UAB added an unearned run in the fourth on a two-out, bases-loaded walk to extend its lead.

However, the Trojans didn't go away quietly as they scored two runs in the sixth and ninth innings to make things interesting. Down four runs with two outs and a runner on in the ninth, Troy was able to bring the go-ahead run to the plate after three consecutive singles from Mercer, Caleb Bartolero and Sinquefield.

UAB starter Tyler Gates (1-0) held the Troy offense in check for most of his outing, allowing just two runs on six hits and fanning four batters in 5.1 innings. Sadler Goodwin (0-3) wore the loss after allowing five runs – four earned – in two innings on the mound.

QUOTABLE – TROY HEAD COACH MARK SMARTT
"Well, we didn't play well enough to win. When we scored, we didn't keep them off the board. I'm really proud of the fight our team late, we've got to learn how to fight for nine innings, though. When we do that, we'll be a really good team."

SOUND "SMARTT" WITH YOUR FRIENDS
In 16 games, head coach Mark Smartt has used 16 different batting orders – it marked the 14^th different defensive alignment used by the Trojans this season.

NOTABLE
• With his second-inning double, Hunter Mercer extended his career-long hitting streak to five games. Mercer recorded three hits in the game, a new career-high for the junior.

• Junior Dalton Sinquefield had a career game at the plate, driving in three runs on three hits; both career-highs. Troy was down to its final strike in the ninth when Sinquefield barely got a piece of what seemed to be strike three, then deposited a RBI single into left center.

• Troy fell to 0-3 in midweek contests with the loss Tuesday. The Trojans were 10-3 in midweek contests in the 2018 season.

UP NEXT
The road trip continues as Troy travels just down the road from Birmingham to face Jacksonville State at the newly renovated Rudy Abbott Field in Jacksonville Wednesday night. First pitch between the long-time rivals is set for 6 p.m.