Trojans Dominate in Trojan Classic Opener

Thursday, February 15

Troy, Ala.

5 p.m.

Troy University

6-2

Florida A&M

0-6

Florida A&M

Troy

2/15/2024 8:39:00 PM | Softball

Box Score Photo Gallery

By: Athletics Communications

TROY, Ala. – The Troy softball team opened the Trojan Classic with an 11-3 win over Florida A&M at the Troy Softball Complex.

The Trojans (6-2) found themselves down in the bottom of the opening frame after Florida A&M's (0-6) Samantha Smith hit a 3-run homer for her first hit of the season. Troy responded quickly, scoring four runs in the second to grab the lead.

A walk and a pair of singles loaded the bases for the Trojans early in the second frame. Natalie Turner stepped up to the plate and ripped a base hit to left field to tie the game 3-3. Jade Sinness came in clutch with a 2-out RBI double to give the Trojans the lead.

Troy never looked back, scoring seven runs in the next inning with their first home runs of the season. The Trojans loaded the bases for the second time and Audra Thompson blasted a grand slam over the left field wall. After a pair of walks, Sinness mashed a 3-run shot that eventually led to the Trojans' run rule victory.

After a rough first inning, true freshman Alyssa Faircloth settled in, punching out five Rattlers in her four innings. Faircloth earned her third win of the season, improving to 3-0 with a 4.04 ERA on the season.

"Today was a big confidence booster," Thompson said. "We got punched in the mouth early by a really good team and we were able to come back and string a bunch of hits together to have some really big innings. It gives us a lot of momentum heading into the weekend."

Thoughts from Coach Newell

"We are taking this day-by-day, opponent-by-opponent. You can't take anybody for granted. That 3-run first inning was a good lesson for us. We can't take anybody lightly. We got some good opponents this weekend and they are going to come after us. But we are in Troy, Alabama and we want to protect our house and we are going to battle."

Notables

· Troy scores back-to-back double-digit runs, recording double-digit RBIs in both.

· Freshman Mia Tidmore recorded her first career hit with a bunt down the third-base line.

· Jade Sinness's 3-run blast has moved her up the list in Troy's career home run leaders. The senior is now tied for sixth place with Hayden Gann with 24 career homers.

· Audra Thompson hit her first career grand slam, setting a new career-high with four RBIs in a single game.