Johnson Tosses Seventh Shutout, Troy Advances in NCAA Softball Tournament

Saturday, May 22

Tuscaloosa, Ala.

1:30 p.m.

Troy University

37-16

Alabama State

19-29

Alabama State

Troy

Johnson Tosses Seventh Shutout, Troy Advances in NCAA Softball Tournament

5/22/2021 4:25:00 PM | Softball

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By: Troy Athletics Communications

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Led by its ace in the circle, Troy bounced back in its second game of the NCAA Softball Tournament with an 8-0 victory over Alabama State Saturday afternoon in six innings at Alabama's Rhoads Stadium. The victory staved off elimination for the Trojans and sets up a rematch with No. 13 Clemson later Saturday evening.

Leanna Johnson (21-8) was her typical dominant self in the circle as she struck out 12 Alabama State batters and scattered three hits, only one of which left the infield. It marked the 11^th time this season the sophomore reached double-digits in strikeouts and raised her season total to 259 strikeouts in just 179.2 innings of work. Johnson has now registered seven shutouts in each of her first three seasons to pull within four of the Troy career record.

The Troy (37-16) offense opened the floodgates in the fourth inning with five Trojans crossing the plate on five hits, three of which went for extra bases. Candela Figueroa opened the scoring with a single through the left side of the infield to plate Tate Moseley. Kennedi Gaton ripped a two-run double into the gap in left-center field and scored on Jade Sinness' first triple of the season; she would later score on a wild pitch to cap the scoring in the frame.

"I'm really proud of this group," head coach Beth Mullins said. "Leanna went out and threw a tremendous game. Our hitters didn't make adjustments early but made them late and just QAB'd (quality at-bat) them up. I'm really proud of them for getting their first Regional win and excited to get back out here for the second game and do it again."

The Trojans ended the game an inning early after posting another crooked number in the home half of the sixth. Sinness drove home her second run of the game with a single back up the middle and advanced to third on a throwing error. The error allowed Gaton to score from first and Katie Webb delivered the walk-off RBI with a grounder to second to score Sinness.

Eight different Trojans accounted for their 10 hits in the game and Troy batters struck out just three times against a pair of Hornet (19-29) pitchers. Sinness and Gaton both had two hits, two runs, two RBIs and an extra-base hit in the contest.

Skyler Sullivan (18-11) was saddled with the loss for Alabama State as she was charged with five runs on seven hits. Madison Myers was responsible for the entire Hornets' offense on the day with all three hits and a pair of stolen bases.

Notable
• The game marked Troy's first win in the NCAA Tournament since 1996 when the Trojans won an NCAA Play-In series against SE Missouri to advance to the Tallahassee Regional.

• Kelly Horne extended her team-leading reached base streak to nine games after drawing a walk and doubling in Saturday's game.

• Katie Webb moved into a tie for second place all-time in Troy history with her 246^th career hit after a 1-for-4 afternoon.

• Leanna Johnson's 12 strikeouts were her 11^th double-digit strikeout game of the season and 23^rd of her career. She entered the NCAA Tournament ranked 13^th nationally with 242 strikeouts on the season.

• Leanna Johnson now has 57 victories in her Troy career which trails Kim Unkenholz by just three for second place all-time; Ashlyn Williams is the career leader with 93.

Next Up
Troy and No. 13 Clemson square off in a rematch from Friday's opening game of the Tuscaloosa Regional later Saturday evening. The Tigers defeated the Trojans, 8-0, Friday behind the strength of four home runs. The winner advances to the Regional Final against Alabama on Sunday and will have to beat the Crimson Tide twice to move on to a Super Regional.