Sinness Walks Off Southern Illinois, Troy Falls to College of Charleston

Friday, February 11

Troy, Ala.

2 p.m.

Troy University

0-1

College of Charleston

1-1

Charleston

Troy

Sinness Walks Off Southern Illinois, Troy Falls to College of Charleston

2/11/2022 8:14:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2 Game One Box Score (PDF)Game Two Box Score (PDF)Photo Gallery Photo Gallery 2

By: Troy Athletics Communications

TROY, Ala. – Jade Sinness ripped a double to right center in the bottom of the seventh to power Troy past Southern Illinois, 2-1, after the Trojans dropped a nail biter to College of Charleston, 1-0, Friday at the Troy Softball Complex.

The Trojans (1-1) split opening day with a pair of one run contests to kickstart action in the annual Trojan Classic.

Leanna Johnson (1-0) proved why she was named the Sun Belt Preseason Pitcher of the Year, hurling 20 strikeouts over 10 innings of work.

Game One: College of Charleston 1, Troy 0
The Cougars (1-1) and Trojans each stranded runners in scoring position in the first inning of action before a pitcher's duel commenced.

After Troy left a runner on base in both the bottom of the second and third, Charleston broke the scoreless streak, plating the lone run of the contest off a solo home run from Jenna Helberg.

The Trojan offense finally caught momentum in the bottom of the sixth with a single from Audra Thompson and a double from Anslee Finch. Despite ending Carli McCants' no hitter, neither runner came around to score.

Trojan ace Johnson entered in the top of fifth in relief of Brianna Bailey. Johnson fanned nine batters to record every out in her three innings of work.

Needing one run to keep the game alive, Candela Figueroa led off the seventh with a single up the middle, but the Trojans couldn't plate Figueroa to send the game into extra innings.

McCants (1-0) earned the win after scattering three hits and five walks while Bailey (0-1) suffered the loss after allowing four hits and a run.

Game Two: Troy 2, Southern Illinois 1
The reigning Missouri Valley champions Southern Illinois (1-1) hopped on the board first in the top of the first inning with a sacrifice fly.

The Trojans answered in the bottom of the first when Finch singled up the middle to score Jade Sinness, who led off with a single.

Johnson took command in the circle early, totaling 11 strikeouts and keeping the Salukis scoreless through the remaining six innings.

Again, needing a run in the bottom of the seventh, veteran Logan Calhoun led off with a double to left center. Troy's power lefty Jade Sinness then stepped to the plate and stroked a double to right center to walk off Southern Illinois.

Johnson earned the win after sitting down 11 batters and tossing a two-hitter.

Madi Eberle (0-1) suffered the loss for the Salukis, allowing a pair of runs off five hits and five walks.

Quotable – Co-Interim Head Coach Holly Ward
"We just have to start getting quality at-bats sooner to be able to put more runs on the board. That second game was a huge win for us. Leanna Johnson had a great performance in the circle with 20 strikeouts. Now, we just need our offense start to clicking sooner."

Notable

The Trojans are set to face nine opponents who made an appearance in the NCAA Tournament last season. Troy starts the season off 1-0 against 2021 NCAA Tournament teams.
In 10 innings of work, Johnson allowed just two hits on the day.
Jade Sinness led the Trojans at the plate going 2-for-7 with a run scored and an RBI.

Next Up
The Trojans return to action in day two of the Trojan Classic tomorrow against Southern Illinois and Purdue Fort Wayne. First pitch for game one is set for 1:30 p.m.