Troy University Athletics
Troy University
9-9, 0-1
Arkansas State
12-7, 1-0
Hot Bats Too Much for Troy in League Opener
3/15/2019 9:31:00 PM | Baseball
Arkansas State (12-7, 1-0) put up six runs in the second inning and that proved to be the difference in the game. The six-run frame was kicked off by a two-run blast from Justin Felix – who led the offensive attack going 3-for-5 with two doubles and a homer. All in all, the Red Wolves used six hits – four for extra bases – to jump on the Trojans early.
The Trojans (9-9, 0-1) did respond with two runs in the bottom of the frame, both coming off the bat of Manning Early. Early doubled down the left field line with two on and two outs in the inning – he finished the game 3-for-4.
Eight of Troy's 10 hits came from three batters – Early, Dalton Sinquefield and Chase Smartt. Sinquefield had his second three-hit performance of the week, tying his career-high in a 3-for-4 night; while Smartt was 2-for-5 in the contest.
The offense wasn't the only thing clicking for A-State – starter Zach Jackson (2-1) fanned nine batters and walked just two in seven innings. Jackson earned the quality start scattering eight hits and allowing three runs in the game.
Reigning Sun Belt Pitcher of the Week Levi Thomas (3-1) saw the first blemish on his career record after allowing seven runs on nine hits in 4.1 innings of work. A bright spot for the Trojans was the strong relief outing for Bay Witcher – who struck out four and gave up just two runs on five hits in the final 4.2 innings of the game.
SOUND "SMARTT" WITH YOUR FRIENDS
Prior to Friday, Troy had started the season 4-0 in series openers – leading to three straight series victories. The Trojans fell to 32-14 in series openers all-time under Mark Smartt.
NOTABLE
• Manning Early entered Friday's contest with three hits on the season. He doubled that total with a 3-for-4 performance that included two RBI and a double.
• Junior Hunter Mercer once again extended his hitting streak, now hitting safely in a team- and career-best seven straight contests. Mercer has reached base safely in 10 consecutive games.
• Outfielder Dalton Sinquefield matched a career-high for hits in the game with three. Sinquefield set that high earlier this week when he went 3-for-4 at UAB Tuesday.
• With Friday's loss, Troy has now lost four of its last five Sun Belt openers – the only win coming in 2017 at Little Rock.
UP NEXT
Troy will look to even the series behind the arm of LHP Grant Stewart Saturday; first pitch at Riddle-Pace Field is set for 3 p.m.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Jackson, Zach (2-1)
L: Thomas, Levi (3-1)
Batting:
2B: Howard, Alex 1 ; Culver, Sky-Lar 1 ; Felix, Justin 2 ; Deshazier, Jaylon 1 ; Duncan, Tyler 1
HR: Howard, Alex 1 ; Felix, Justin 1
RBI: Tipton, Drew 1 ; Zimmerman, Will 1 ; Howard, Alex 3 ; Culver, Sky-Lar 1 ; Felix, Justin 2 ; Duncan, Tyler 1
SF: Tipton, Drew 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Tipton, Drew 1 ; Zimmerman, Will 1 ; Howard, Alex 1 ; MacDonald, Kyle 1 ; Culver, Sky-Lar 1 ; Felix, Justin 2 ; Deshazier, Jaylon 1 ; Duncan, Tyler 1
SB: Tipton, Drew 2
HBP: Culver, Sky-Lar 1 ; Jablonski, Jake 1 ; Duncan, Tyler 1
Batting:
2B: Early, Manning 1
RBI: Mercer, Hunter 1 ; Early, Manning 2
Base Running:
RUNS: Sinquefield, Dalton 1 ; Mercer, Hunter 1 ; Cerny, Logan 1
HBP: Sinquefield, Dalton 1
