McKinney, Trojans Claim Series Opener Against Rival in Walk-Off Fashion

Friday, April 26

Troy, Ala.

6 p.m.

Troy University

32-17, 12-7

South Alabama

27-16, 12-7

South Alabama

Troy

McKinney, Trojans Claim Series Opener Against Rival in Walk-Off Fashion

4/26/2024 10:35:00 PM | Softball

Box Score Box Score

By: Athletics Communications

Troy, Ala. – The Troy softball team took the series opener against South Alabama at the Troy Softball Complex. Taylor McKinney powered the Trojans (32-17, 12-7 SBC) to victory after blasting a walk-off homer over the center field in her first game back from injury.

McKinney, who has been absent from the lineup since April 5, struggled to find a groove early in the game. However, she stepped up when Troy needed it most. After an 0-for-3 start, the junior second baseman recorded her first hit in 21 days with a single ripped up the middle in the eighth inning before blasting her fifth home run of the season to end the game in the tenth.

This game was filled with excitement from the very beginning. South Alabama (27-16-1, 12-7 SBC) got off to an early lead in the second inning after Odalys Cordova blasted a solo home run. The Jaguars extended their lead to two runs after loading the bases in the next frame when Olivia Branstetter brought Marley Sims home with a sacrifice fly.

Anslee Finch got the Trojans on the board after blasting her 24th career homer in the fourth inning to bring the game within one run. After three scoreless innings, Jade Sinness tied the game after stepping up to the plate with two outs and mashing a double that brought Cassidy Boltz all the way home from first base to tie the game, 2-2.

The game remained in a deadlock after both pitchers continued to shut down the sides before McKinney decided to send everyone home by blasting a home run out of the park.

Troy's defense was key in today's matchup. Natalie Turner locked down the hot corner, especially in the fifth inning where she got the Trojans out of a jam, fielding a hard grounder before tagging the lead runner out at third and gunning the batter at first to turn the double play. Libby Baker joined in on the fun, robbing Sims of a single up the middle by snagging a line drive ripped straight back at her.

The highlights didn't stop there. Sinness saved a run from scoring when Amity White knocked a ball into the left-center gap. The senior outfielder robbed White by diving into the gap to snag the second out of the inning. In the next at-bat, Kayden Dunn ended the inning by snagging a line drive that was ripped straight at her.

Both pitchers excelled in today's game. Libby Baker improved to 13-8 on the season and lowered her ERA to 3.50 after limiting the Jaguars to just two runs off three hits. Although Olivia Lackie received her seventh loss of the season, she limited the Trojans to three runs off 10 hits while recording six strikeouts.

Thoughts from Coach Newell

"Let's go Trojans! Walk-off style. We had some incredible individual performances, but this was one of the best team wins that we have had all year. Libby Baker pitched extremely well, Taylor blasted the walk-off home run, Anslee Finch's homer was huge for us as well, Jade's double was crucial, and it sent us to extras. The entire lineup performed, and we recorded 10 hits off one of the best pitchers in the conference. We made a statement tonight."

Notables

The Trojans are now tied for third place in the conference with South Alabama. Both programs are 12-7 in conference play. They sit one game behind second place Texas State who is 13-6 against Sun Belt opponents.
Taylor McKinney made her first appearance since April 5. The junior outfielder went 2-for-5 from the plate in her first game back from injury, including her walk-off home run in the tenth inning.
Taylor McKinney and Anslee Finch both recorded their 24th career home runs. This ties Hayden Gann for the eighth most career blasts in Trojan history.
Libby Baker has reached the 400 innings pitched milestone. Throughout her five year career in cardinal red, Baker has recorded 265 strikeouts (the tenth most in Trojan history), 99 appearances (the seventh most in Troy history) and has maintained a 3.59 career ERA.
Troy improves to 8-2 when going into extra innings.