Pittman, Trojans Dominate in Shutout Win

Saturday, March 23

Troy, Ala.

3:33 p.m.

Troy University

23-11, 3-2

James Madison

18-11, 2-3

James Madison

Troy

3/23/2024 7:19:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

By: Athletics Communications

Troy, Ala. – The Troy softball team (23-11, 3-2 SBC) evened their first conference series of the season at the Troy Softball Complex with a dominant 8-0 victory over James Madison (18-11, 2-3 SBC).

Haley Pittman threw the best game of her career. The senior transfer threw her second complete game and set a new career-high with six innings of work and tied her career high of six strikeouts. Pittman also limited the Dukes to just four hits and didn't walk a single batter.

Taylor McKinney and Libby Baker headlined the Troy offense yet again. Both players went two-for-three from the plate and recorded an RBI in today's matchup. The Trojans' one-two punch is now batting .360 and .388 on the season, respectively.

Sarah Beth Brake blew the door open with a moonshot in the fifth inning. The junior transfer showed off her power by blasting a two-run home run over the left center wall.

Troy made a statement early, plating four runs in the opening inning. The Trojans loaded the bases after three straight singles and Baker kept the streak going with an RBI single of her own. Cassidy Boltz stepped into the batter's box and ripped Troy's fifth straight single to plate the second run of the inning. Anslee Finch drove in a third with a sacrifice fly deep to center field and Audra Thompson capped it off with an RBI single driven through the right side.

McKinney extended Troy's lead to five runs with yet another RBI single in the second inning. The score would remain 5-0 until the fifth inning when Brake blasted her second home run of the season. Troy ended the game early after McKinney would come home off a wild pitch by Rebecca Muh in the sixth inning.

Thoughts from Coach Newell

"Anytime you can get a conference win it's a big deal. To get a short game against such a talented JMU team is an exciting thing. I give a lot of credit to Haley Pittman for executing the pitches that Coach Decker was calling. She had them off-balance all day and benefited from the outside of the plate. I couldn't be happier for her. That was one of the best games she has ever pitched. Today was a good rebound after yesterday's tough loss. We responded very well, and we are excited to be in a position to win the series."

Notables

Haley Pittman set a plethora of milestones in today's 8-0 win over James Madison. The senior threw her second collegiate complete game and recorded a new career high of six innings pitched. She surpasses her old career high of five innings of work against Bryant on February 23. Pittman also tied her career high of six strikeouts. The last time Pittman reached this milestone was on February 25 against Morehead State.
Sarah Beth Brake launched her second career home run at the Division I level in the fifth inning of today's game. The junior transfer gave the Trojans a 7-0 lead and sparked the Troy offense after three scoreless innings.
Today's 8-0 game was the first time James Madison has been shut out all season. The Dukes were last blanked on May 4, 2023. Today's result also marks Troy's fourth shutout of the season and the 12th time mercy ruling it's opponents.