Bartolero's Big Night Powers Troy to Victory

Tuesday, April 12

Troy, Ala.

6 p.m.

Troy University

22-10

Jacksonville State

13-17

Jacksonville State

Troy

Bartolero's Big Night Powers Troy to Victory

4/12/2022 10:41:00 PM | Baseball

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By: Troy Athletics Communications

TROY, Ala. – Caleb Bartolero's three home runs powered Troy to a 12-5 win over Jacksonville State Tuesday night from Riddle Pace Field. The Trojans overcame a four-run deficit and scored 12 straight runs in the victory.

This was the first time a Trojan has hit three home runs in a game since Logan Cerny did it back on February 20, 2021, against Youngstown State.

"I thought it was a multi-level win," head coach Skylar Meade said. "We were good at all the stuff we needed to be good at, and I'm proud of how our bullpen performed, especially in a mid-week game. We focused on the task at hand and earned the victory for it."

Trey Leonard also had a big night for Troy (22-10, 8-4), going 3-3 with two runs batted in and his fourth home run of the season.

Making his first career start on the mound, Judson Hershiser went two innings, allowing four runs on three hits, a walk, and two strikeouts. The four runs in the first for Jacksonville State (13-17) were all unearned, and the Gamecocks wouldn't score again until the top of the ninth inning.

Caleb Marsh (0-1) of Jacksonville State is given the loss as he gave up five runs on five hits for the Trojans to pull away.

Bartolero's first home run was a solo shot and came in the bottom of the second to cut into the Gamecock lead. The Trojan comeback was ramped up in the bottom of the fourth as two walks, and a hit by pitch loaded the bases with nobody out.

Donovan Whibbs made it a one-score game with a double down the left-field line, and Troy would tie it thanks to a Jesse Hall sacrifice fly.

Troy never saw a deficit again as they scored eight runs over the next four innings.

All three of Bartolero's home runs were virtually in the same spot in left field, with one even striking the light pole before bouncing back into play.

Following Hershiser, Bay Witcher, Keaton Fuller, Brandon Schrepf, and Kyle Gamble saw the mound and excelled in stifling the Gamecock bats.

Fuller (1-0) earns the victory and his first win as a Trojan after tossing two innings of one-hit baseball striking out four batters. Schrepf, who has seen time in the outfield this season, made his Trojan debut on the mound and got two outs, both via the strikeout.

With the win, Troy has won the season series over the Gamecocks, with Troy putting up double digits in both contests.

Up next: Troy rides a four-game win streak and prepares for a three-game series with in-state rival, South Alabama, starting Thursday, April 14 at 6 p.m.