Troy University Athletics
Troy University
18-7
Alabama State
15-11
12 Straight Runs Push Troy Past Alabama State
3/28/2023 9:48:00 PM | Baseball
A six-run sixth inning helped secure the victory. Eight Trojans had a hit, and eight Trojans recorded at least one RBI, with Kole Myers, William Sullivan, Caleb Bartolero, and Brooks Bryan finishing each with two.
Those 12 runs played major importance late in the game as Alabama State scored seven runs in the bottom of the ninth to make it a three-run game but couldn't overcome the 10-run deficit.
The win gives head coach Skylar Meade the 50th win of his career with the Trojans.
The Trojans had a difficult time generating offense against Alabama State starter Kyler McIntosh through the first five innings, but that all changed in the sixth as the Trojans batted around and put up six runs in the top of the sixth to take the lead and not look back.
The inning was started with a Brooks single and was followed by three straight hits, with the third coming from Ethan Kavanagh to get Troy within one. With the bases loaded and nobody out, the Hornets committed two errors contributing to three unearned runs.
Mcintosh's final line was three runs on five hits with five strikeouts in five innings. Jorhan LaBoy (1-3) relieved McIntosh and was given the loss after allowing four runs, with only one being earned.
Matt Mercer made his first start on the mound, and his only blemish of the night was a two-run home run. Mercer went three innings, only allowing two hits finishing with two strikeouts and a walk.
Picking up the win for Troy was Logan Ross (2-0), who went 2.1 innings, only allowing a run on two hits and striking out two. Kristian Asbury followed, keeping the Hornets off the scoreboard.
Three batters into the ball game Sullivan got the Trojans on the board with a solo home run. It was his 12th of the season and 27th RBI.
The Hornets responded with a long ball of their own in the bottom half of the first as Jack Hay hit a two-run home run to nearly the same spot Sullivan had to give Alabama State the lead.
Another big inning came in the eighth as Troy added another four runs. Myers opened the floodgates, making it a 12-3 game after a two-run home run giving him six home runs on the season.
What was a comfortable lead heading into the bottom of the ninth quickly became a stressful inning for Keaton Fuller. With two outs, the Hornets made it a three-run ball game with two walks and three hits, including a home run. With the bases empty, Fuller finally ended the game on the next pitch with a ground out and sent Troy to their fifth straight win.
Much of the Alabama State offense came from first baseman Hay, who finished the game with three hits, four RBIs, and two runs scored.
The Trojans will have a quick turnaround as they will continue their mini road trip tomorrow in Tallahassee as they take on Florida A&M for the second time this season, with the first pitch scheduled for 4 p.m.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Ross, Logan (2-0)
L: Jorhan LaBoy (1-3)
Batting:
2B: Bartolero, Caleb 1
HR: Myers, Kole 1 ; Sullivan, William 1
RBI: Myers, Kole 2 ; Kavanagh, Ethan 1 ; Sullivan, William 2 ; Lewis, Shane 1 ; Mock, Kyle 1 ; Bartolero, Caleb 2 ; Bryan, Brooks 2
SF: Bartolero, Caleb 1 ; Bryan, Brooks 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Myers, Kole 2 ; Kavanagh, Ethan 1 ; Sullivan, William 2 ; Lewis, Shane 1 ; Mock, Kyle 1 ; Cobb Jr., Tremayne 1 ; Bartolero, Caleb 1 ; Hartsfield, Hudson 1 ; Bryan, Brooks 1 ; Gardiner, Lance 2
SB: Myers, Kole 1 ; Mock, Kyle 1 ; Hartsfield, Hudson 1 ; Gardiner, Lance 1
HBP: Kavanagh, Ethan 1
Batting:
HR: Jack Hay 1 ; D. Chandler 1 ; Jamal George 1
RBI: Ian Matos 1 ; Jack Hay 4 ; Ali Lapread 1 ; D. Chandler 3 ; Jamal George 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Randy Flores 1 ; T. Jamison 1 ; Ian Matos 1 ; Jack Hay 2 ; Ali Lapread 1 ; D. Chandler 1 ; K. Kuramoto 1 ; Jamal George 1 ; K. Edmonson 1
SB: Randy Flores 2 ; Ali Lapread 1
