Troy University Athletics
Wednesday, February 17
Troy, Ala.
2 p.m.
Troy University
4-1
1
vs
3
Liberty
6-0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
R
H
E
Liberty
0
0
0
0
1
0
2
3
7
1
Troy
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
1
4
0
Troy Drops Pitchersβ Duel to Liberty
2/17/2021 5:45:00β―PM | Softball
TROY, Ala. β Despite five scoreless frames and a double-digit strikeout performance by Leanna Johnson, the Trojans dropped a midweek pitchers' duel to Liberty Wednesday at the Troy Softball Complex.
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Leanna Johnson (2-1) and Flames' pitcher Emily Kirby battled in the circle, opening the game with four consecutive scoreless innings.
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Both teams saw their best opportunity to plate a run in the second inning of action. Liberty (5-0) and Troy (4-1) capitalized on a walk to put a runner in scoring position, but both sides stranded their runner.
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In the top of the fifth inning, Liberty broke the scoreless streak using a pair of hits by Madison Via and Caroline Hudson to plate a run.
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The Trojans retaliated in the bottom half of the inning when Katie Webb singled to left field scoring Logan Calhoun, who reached with a bunt single.
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The Flames brought freshman righty Karlie Keeney (3-0) in in relief who promptly forced a fly out to close out the inning.
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In the top of the sixth inning, Liberty threatened with two runners on and one out. Troy's Ashlan Ard turned a seamless double play to get the Trojans out of the jam.
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Troy returned to the plate in the bottom half of the inning. A field error, walk and an Ard single loaded the bases with one out, but the Trojans couldn't capitalize on their best offensive opportunity of the night, sending the game tied into the seventh.
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With the game on the line, Liberty utilized a double by Autumn Bishop and a pair of walks to load the bases for Kara Canetto. Canetto hit a single into left field to give the Flames a two-run lead heading into the bottom of the seventh.
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Kenney retired the first two Trojans, bringing cleanup hitter Kelly Horne to the plate. Horne blasted a hit to deep left center, but Flames centerfield Canetto robbed Horne's homer to close the game.
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QUOTABLE β Head Coach Beth Mullins
"We brought in a really quality opponent in Liberty. Liberty has been a regional team, and they're just gritty. These are the type of opponents you want to bring in. I thought we played really gritty as well, but we just didn't have timely hits. Leanna Johnson threw a great game. Liberty just came in and grinded out some at-bats with key hits when runners were in scoring position."
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NOTABLE
NEXT UP
The Trojans return to action this Friday, February 19 in the opening day of the Troy Invitational. Troy and Austin Peay will square off at 2 p.m.
Β
Β
Leanna Johnson (2-1) and Flames' pitcher Emily Kirby battled in the circle, opening the game with four consecutive scoreless innings.
Β
Both teams saw their best opportunity to plate a run in the second inning of action. Liberty (5-0) and Troy (4-1) capitalized on a walk to put a runner in scoring position, but both sides stranded their runner.
Β
In the top of the fifth inning, Liberty broke the scoreless streak using a pair of hits by Madison Via and Caroline Hudson to plate a run.
Β
The Trojans retaliated in the bottom half of the inning when Katie Webb singled to left field scoring Logan Calhoun, who reached with a bunt single.
Β
The Flames brought freshman righty Karlie Keeney (3-0) in in relief who promptly forced a fly out to close out the inning.
Β
In the top of the sixth inning, Liberty threatened with two runners on and one out. Troy's Ashlan Ard turned a seamless double play to get the Trojans out of the jam.
Β
Troy returned to the plate in the bottom half of the inning. A field error, walk and an Ard single loaded the bases with one out, but the Trojans couldn't capitalize on their best offensive opportunity of the night, sending the game tied into the seventh.
Β
With the game on the line, Liberty utilized a double by Autumn Bishop and a pair of walks to load the bases for Kara Canetto. Canetto hit a single into left field to give the Flames a two-run lead heading into the bottom of the seventh.
Β
Kenney retired the first two Trojans, bringing cleanup hitter Kelly Horne to the plate. Horne blasted a hit to deep left center, but Flames centerfield Canetto robbed Horne's homer to close the game.
Β
QUOTABLE β Head Coach Beth Mullins
"We brought in a really quality opponent in Liberty. Liberty has been a regional team, and they're just gritty. These are the type of opponents you want to bring in. I thought we played really gritty as well, but we just didn't have timely hits. Leanna Johnson threw a great game. Liberty just came in and grinded out some at-bats with key hits when runners were in scoring position."
Β
NOTABLE
- Reigning Sun Belt Conference Pitcher of the Week Leanna Johnson turned in her 14th career double-digit strikeout performance. Johnson currently sits at fifth in Troy's career strikeout record and is 24 strikeouts away from moving into fourth.
- Ashlan Ard was the only Trojan to record a multi-hit game after the freshman went 2-for-3 from the plate. Ard has recorded two multi-hit games this season. Β
- With the loss, Liberty ties the series, 1-1, with the Trojans. Troy notched their first win over the Flames back in 2009.
NEXT UP
The Trojans return to action this Friday, February 19 in the opening day of the Troy Invitational. Troy and Austin Peay will square off at 2 p.m.
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Team Stats
Pitching:
W: KEENEY, Karlie (3-0)
L: Johnson, Leanna (2-1)
Batting:
2B: BISHOP, Autumn 1 ; VIA, Madison 1
RBI: HUDSON, Caroline 1 ; CANETTO, Kara 2
Base Running:
RUNS: JONES, Naomi 1 ; HODUM, Megan 1 ; VIA, Madison 1
Batting:
RBI: Webb, Katie 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Calhoun, Logan 1
SB: Figueroa, Candela 1
Game Leaders
AB
3
R
0
H
2
RBI
0
AB
3
R
0
H
1
RBI
1
AB
3
R
1
H
1
RBI
0
AB
3
R
0
H
0
RBI
0
Players Mentioned
INF
/ SoftballINF
/ Softball
INF
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P
/ SoftballINF/C
/ Softballπππππ‘π π§ππ πͺπππ - π¦ππ¬, ππ²
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