Softball Powers Past Alabama State

Wednesday, March 8

Montgomery, Ala.

6 p.m.

Troy University

15-7

Alabama State

11-8

Troy University

Alabama State

3/8/2023 8:42:00 PM | Softball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

By: Troy Athletics Communications

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Troy hit six doubles, including two from reigning Sun Belt Hitter of the Week Anslee Finch, and Leanna Johnson tossed four perfect innings in relief to lift Troy past Alabama State, 5-2, Wednesday evening in non-conference action at the Williams Softball Complex.

Troy (15-7) won for the fifth time in its last six games, all away from home, and improved to 26-0 all-time against Alabama State (11-8).

The Trojans got all the runs they would need before the Hornets ever got a bat in their hands as they pushed four runs across the plate on the strength of three doubles in the top of the first. Taylor McKinney drew a one-out walk, stole second, and scored on Finch's first double of the game.

Libby Baker followed with her team-leading sixth double of the season, Jade Sinness walked and Kelly Horne drove them both home with a double to the gap in right-center field. Audra Thompson capped the inning with a single through the right side of the infield.

Johnson (11-2) took over in the fourth inning for freshman Olivia Cato and pitched four perfect frames with nine strikeouts. The Troy senior is now just six wins away from becoming Troy's all-time leader with 94.

Alexia Denby put the Hornets on the board with a leadoff homer in the home half of the first, and Kennedi Gaton answered for the Trojans with an RBI double in the third, scoring pinch runner Aayanah Hughes. Alex Preston delivered an RBI single in the third to pull Alabama State to within the final 5-2 margin.

Thompson and Finch finished with a pair of hits for the Trojans, while Sinness reached base in 3-of-4 plate appearances with two walks and a single. Horne's two RBIs marked her team-leading 29^th career multi-RBI game.

Madison Myers (0-2) took the loss for Alabama State after she allowed four runs on four hits in just two-thirds of an inning.

Troy returns to North Florida this weekend for its final non-conference weekend test before conference play. The Trojans have games against North Florida, Army and Northern Kentucky on Friday thru Sunday.