Baker One-Hitter Leads Troy Past Western Carolina

Saturday, February 20

Troy, Ala.

12:30 p.m.

Troy University

7-1

Western Carolina

2-5

Western Carolina

Troy

Baker One-Hitter Leads Troy Past Western Carolina

2/20/2021 6:15:00 PM | Softball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

By: Troy Athletics Communications

TROY, Ala. – In her fourth outing of the season, freshman Libby Baker blanked the Catamounts in six consecutive innings to power the Trojans to a one-hit shutout victory, 4-0, in day two of the Troy Invitational Saturday at the Troy Softball Complex.

The Trojans have now won six of their first seven games this season, marking the program's best start since 2012 where the Trojans raced out to an 11-1 start falling only to Missouri.

Libby Baker (2-0) took a no-hitter into the top of the seventh inning. After fanning a Catamount (2-5) for the first out of the final inning, Anna-Paige Pelfrey singled to left field to give Western Carolina its lone hit of the contest.

Troy (7-1) struck first in the opening frame after Jade Sinness led off with a solo shot to right-center field, her third long ball of the season.

Back-to-back scoreless outings for Western Carolina brought the Trojans back to the plate in the bottom of the third inning.

Kelly Horne led off smashing a solo homer to left field, her second of the season, to give the Trojans a two-run advantage heading into the fourth.

Baker and the Trojans' defense held the Catamounts hitless in the fourth frame, forcing a pair of fly outs and a pop up.

In the bottom half of the inning, Logan Calhoun led off with a single to center field. Jade Sinness and Candela Figueroa got on board with a dropped fly and a walk, respectively, loading the bases for Horne.

Horne roped a single through the left side scoring a pair for the Trojans.

After a pair of scoreless frames for both sides sent the game into the seventh, Baker saw her no-hitter come to an end after Pelfrey's single.

With the tying run in the on-deck circle after a walk and single by Pelfrey, Baker calmly struck out the final batter of the game to seal the Trojans' seventh victory of the season.

Jayme Eilers (1-2) suffered the loss for the Catamounts allowing four runs off six hits and four walks.

QUOTABLE- Head Coach Beth Mullins
"I thought Libby Baker threw a great game today. We had a couple of big hits that scored the runs we needed to get the win. I am very excited to come back out tomorrow on Championship Sunday and get back to work!"

NOTABLE

Libby Baker's one-hitter marked the fewest hits the returning freshman has allowed in a complete game.
Troy's 7-1 start is the program's best start under head coach Beth Mullins.
Kelly Horne led the Trojans offensively with an impressive 2-for-2 outing recording 3 RBIs and a walk.
With Jade Sinness' and Kelly Horne's home runs today, the Trojans have now smashed eight long balls this weekend. Troy entered the weekend with just one home run on the year.