Pitchers Combine for Series-Clinching Shutout; Leanna Johnson Becomes Second-Ever Troy Pitcher with 1,000 Career Strikeouts

Saturday, April 1

Hattiesburg, Miss.

2 p.m.

Troy University

25-9-1, 0

Southern Mississippi

15-14, 0

Troy

Southern Miss

Pitchers Combine for Series-Clinching Shutout; Leanna Johnson Becomes Second-Ever Troy Pitcher with 1,000 Career Strikeouts

4/1/2023 5:51:00 PM | Softball

Box Score BOX SCORE (PDF)

By: Troy Athletics Communications

HATTIESBURG, Miss. – A combined effort by Olivia Cato and Leanna Johnson in the pitcher's circle suffocated Southern Miss's offense for a 3-0 shutout to clinch the series on Saturday afternoon in the Southern Miss Softball Complex. Johnson entered the game in the bottom of the sixth to record strikeouts No. 999 and 1,000 to become the second pitcher in Troy history to enter four figures.

One week removed from becoming Troy's all-time wins leader (94), Johnson entered the bottom of the sixth with one out and runners on first and third after Cato allowed just her second walk and hit of the afternoon. Johnson went at Jana Lee, who got a homer in yesterday's matchup, and with a full count, sat her down for No. 999. The next batter was Natalie Taylor; the first two pitches were strikes. She followed it with two outside the zone for a 2-2 count. That's when the senior went in for the final blow, tossing a screwball pitch that got Taylor swinging for No. 1,000 and a save.

Despite going runless in the first inning in seven straight games, Troy (25-9-1, 6-1-1 SBC) earned its first run in the top of the first in back-to-back games through a bunt by Anslee Finch. The top of the order got hot early as D'Aun Riggs grabbed Troy's first hit of the game on the second pitch with a single to center field. Then, Taylor McKinney extended her hitting streak to four on her 28^th career extra-base hit with a double down the left-field line.

After Libby Baker popped up to second base on her first pitch, Finch laid down the bunt, providing enough time for both her to be safe at first and Riggs to reach home, 1-0. With USM's (15-14, 0-8 SBC) Taylor focused on the initial play, McKinney tried to sneak her way home but was caught on the tag by Hannah Borden to save a two-score inning.

Finch wasn't done producing runs for Troy, with her next attack coming in the top of the fourth. Before people could take their seats, Finch launched one out to left field on her first pitch to push Troy's lead to two.

Troy had numerous opportunities to extend the lead, but double plays kept Troy from the third run. That was until Johnson's 1,000^th career strikeout gave Troy some life at the top of the seventh. Audra Thompson started Troy off with a walk before Kennedi Gaton singled on her first pitch past the third baseman. Katelynn de Leon then laid down a sac bunt to advance both runners into scoring position. That set Riggs up at the plate, where she hammered a flyout to right field to bring Thompson across home, 3-0.

Cato improved to 5-4 with today's victory, keeping USM scoreless in her 5.1 innings with five strikeouts. In 77 total pitches, the freshman gave up just two hits and walks. Johnson was credited with her second save of 2023 as she entered to save the victory and achieve history. Overall, the Troy defense continued its perfect weekend with zero errors through games one and two.

The final game in the series has first pitch scheduled for noon tomorrow as the Trojans go for the sweep.