Troy Drops Heartbreaker to Ole Miss

Sunday, February 20

Troy, Ala.

12:30 p.m.

Troy University

9-2

Ole Miss

8-3

Ole Miss

Troy

2/20/2022 5:18:00 PM | Softball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

By: Troy Athletics Communications

TROY, Ala. – After being down 6-1, Troy clawed back within one run of Ole Miss but could not complete the comeback, falling 8-7, Sunday in the final day of the Troy Invitational at the Troy Softball Complex.

After pitching and defensive miscues saw the Trojans (9-2) down 6-1, Troy rallied for four runs in the bottom of the fifth and a pair in the bottom of the sixth but could not complete the comeback.

Ole Miss (8-3) struck first in the bottom of the first when Sydney Gutierrez singled to score Tate Whitley, who led off with a bunt single.

After two quiet frames for the Trojans, the Rebels utilized a hit, an error and four walks to plate four runs in the top of the third.

Logan Calhoun was left stranded in the bottom half of the third after ripping a one-out single to right field.

In the top of the fourth, Ole Miss plated another run off an error, hit by pitch and a single to take a 6-0 lead.

However, Anslee Finch answered in the bottom of the frame with a solo home run to put the Trojans on the board.

After a trio of singles added a score for the Rebels, Troy's offense ignited for four runs in the bottom of the fifth to get back within striking distance.

Kennedi Gaton led off the inning with a walk. Back-to-back singles from Calhoun and Jade Sinness plated a run and put two on for Kelly Horne.

Horne launched a three-run shot over the left-field wall to bring the Trojans within two, 7-5.

Libby Baker entered in relief in the top of the sixth and gave up a one run, but the Trojans yet again answered with a pair of runs in the bottom of the sixth.

Katelynn de Leon led off with a double down the first-base line. Sinness followed with a two-bagger to score de Leon. After the Rebels' intentionally walked Horne, Finch singled to left, scoring the second run of the sixth.

After Baker worked around a two-out walk to hold Ole Miss scoreless, the Trojans stranded de Leon in the seventh and could not force extra innings.

Leanna Johnson (5-1) suffered the loss for the Trojans after giving up one run in the first. Haley Postell and Taylor McKinney combined for three innings of work before Baker entered.

Savannah Diedrich (2-0) picked up her second win of the season after scattering five runs in 4.1 innings of work. Anna Borgen (SV1) earned her first save after entering the bottom of the sixth with the tying run on deck.

Quotable – Co-Interim Head Coach Taylor Smartt
"I am really proud of how resilient we were. They fought and never thought it was over. They continued to fight and battle their way back. They have done that in several of our games so far, and I think that shows they're calm and composed. I knew they would give themselves a chance by making adjustments at the plate."

Notable

Kelly Horne led the Trojans offensively this week batting at a .625 mark with four doubles, two home runs, seven walks and six RBIs.
Leanna Johnson went 3-1 on the weekend with a no-hitter. The Brantley, Ala., native tossed 41 strikeouts with a 1.62 ERA.
The Trojans will face 10 opponents who made an NCAA Regional last season. Troy is currently 4-1 against those teams.

Next Up
The Trojans will hit the road for the Carolina Classic is Columbia, S.C. Troy opens play of Friday at 2:30 p.m. against Miami (OH).