Trojans Shut Out Florida A&M in Seven Innings

Wednesday, March 22

Troy, Ala.

4 p.m.

Troy University

14-7

Florida A&M

9-12

FAMU

Troy

Trojans Shut Out Florida A&M in Seven Innings

3/22/2023 8:00:00 PM | Baseball

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By: Troy Athletics Communications

TROY, Ala. – The Trojans' four-game losing streak ended Wednesday night due to dominating performances both on the mound and at the plate as Troy got back in the win column with a 10-0 seven-inning win over Florida A&M from Riddle Pace Field.

This is the second time this season that the Trojans have won 10-0 and run-rule their opponent in seven, with the first coming in the series finale against USC-Upstate.

"This game was the most important game of the season because it was the game we were playing today," head coach Skylar Meade said. "Games start and end with pitching. The standard here at Troy is that you stuff, and you can go out and be repeatable in your mechanics delivery and execution. Asbury did that to set the stage for the rest of the day. It will only get harder, but it's nice to see our guys rewarded.

Four Trojan (14-7) pitchers combined to keep the Rattlers' bats silent and off the scoreboard, starting with Kristian Asbury (1-0) making his first career start for Troy. Asbury picked up his first win after three innings allowing only one hit, no runs, no walks, and four strikeouts. Matt Mercer, Brandon Schrepf, and Beau Fletcher making his season debut, held Florida A&M to a combined three hits with only one walk.

Two Trojans now rank among the top four nationally in home runs as William Sullivan hit two on the day, joining Shane Lewis for the team lead with 11. Sullivan went three for three with three RBIs and two runs scored.

For the fourth time this season, Kole Myers led off the ball game with a home run, scoring two runs, while Ethan Kavanagh scored three runs and reached base for the 18^th straight game matching a season-high for the team.

Dallas Tease (0-2) got the start on the mound for the Rattlers but picked up his second loss as the Trojans knocked him for five runs on five hits in three innings pitched. Five different pitchers came out of the bullpen, with the Trojans scoring in all but two innings.

In the bottom of the third, Sullivan hit his first of two home runs, a two-run shot. Lewis followed Sullivan, who connected for his first double of the year. With Lewis on second, Caleb Bartolero sent a deep fly ball to left center field that the left fielder caught after an acrobatic play. Heads up base running and an aggressive send from third base coach Ben Wolgamot allowed Lewis to beat the throw home and score from second on the sacrifice fly. This is the second time Troy has successfully scored a runner from second on a sacrifice fly this season.

Entering Wednesday night, Sullivan ranked second in Troy baseball history with 30 hit-by pitches. His 31st career hit by pitch brought home the Trojans' sixth run as he was hit with the bases loaded.

Kyle Mock continues to swing a hot bat after picking up his 17^th and 18^th RBIs of the season with a single, scoring two more in the bottom of the fourth, making it an 8-0 ball game.

The Trojans would get the necessary 10 runs in the bottom of the sixth with another Sullivan home run and a Bartolero single, scoring Lewis, who had tripled just before.

The Rattlers (9-12) were held to four hits, with second baseman Joseph Pierini accounting for half of them. Two extra-base hits were all Florida A&M produced as the Trojan defense was on top of their game, turning two double plays and Myers and Hudson Hartsfield both making highlight-reel catches in the outfield.

The Trojans return to Sun Belt Conference action over the weekend and look for their first win as they get set to welcome ULM for a three-game series beginning on Friday, March 24, at 6 p.m. at Riddle-Pace Field.