Troy Downs Red Wolves; Clinches Third Consecutive Sun Belt Series

Saturday, May 15

Troy, Ala.

3 p.m.

Troy University

26-21, 0

Arkansas State

16-27, 0

Akansas State

Troy

Troy Downs Red Wolves; Clinches Third Consecutive Sun Belt Series

5/15/2021 7:10:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

By: Troy Athletics Communications

TROY, Ala. – The Trojan arms allowed no earned runs to cross in a low-scoring affair as Troy downed Arkansas State to secure its third consecutive Sun Belt series victory. A three-run third inning proved to be the difference as the Trojans downed the Red Wolves, 3-1, Saturday afternoon at Riddle-Pace Field.

The win marked Troy's (26-21, 12-8 SBC) eighth consecutive Sun Belt victory, the Trojans' longest conference winning streak since 2011.

Orlando Ortiz (6-4) posted his fifth quality start of the season, and third consecutive, as he struck out six and allowed no earned runs on three hits in 6.1 innings. Marquez Oates sat down all six batters he faced, using two strikeouts and just 20 pitches to earn his seventh save of the season.

Lance Johnson entered in the seventh inning in a pressure situation – two Red Wolves aboard and one out – and kept Arkansas State (16-27, 8-12 SBC) off the board with a strikeout and a groundout.

Donovan Whibbs (2-for-3, 1 R) continued his hot hitting ways since returning from injury, recording his sixth multi-hit performance in his last 11 games. Logan Cerny doubled and notched two RBIs as part of a 2-for-4 day, his eighth multi-hit outing over the last 11 games.

Clay Stearns and Whibbs each singled to open the third inning before Drew Frederic laid down a beautiful bunt single to load the bases with no outs. Cerny then delivered a hard-hit double that deflected off the third baseman to score a pair for the Trojans. Caleb Bartolero then put the ball in play to bring home Troy's third run of the ball game.

Arkansas State's lone run came in the fifth inning on single and Troy throwing error. The Red Wolves never had to make the move to the bullpen as starter Will Nash (3-5) lasted all eight innings on the mound, allowing three runs on seven hits.

Quotable – Head Coach Mark Smartt
"It's great to win a series on Saturday, I'm really happy for our team. We pitched awfully well, Orlando was great and got deep into the game. Lance and Marquez were great behind him. We did enough offensively in the third inning to get three runs in and they stuck. Their starting pitcher was excellent today. I was really happy that we were able to score when we did. Now we move into our final home game of the season; we're looking forward to honoring our seniors tomorrow.

Notable

Donovan Whibbs logged his sixth multi-hit outing in the last 11 games with a 2-for-3 day at the plate.
Logan Cerny hit a two-RBI double in the third inning, his 15^th of the season. Of Cerny's 60 hits this season, 33 of them have gone for extra bases.
Orlando Ortiz posted his fifth quality start of the season, and third in the last three games.
The win marked Troy's eighth consecutive Sun Belt victory, the Trojans' longest conference winning streak since 2011.
Troy is 19-8 at home this season and has won seven-straight within the friendly confines of Riddle-Pace Field.

Up Next
Troy and Arkansas State close out the series Sunday at 1 p.m. Six seniors will be recognized prior to the game.