Troy Drops Heartbreaker On Senior Day

Sunday, April 28

Troy, Ala.

1 p.m.

Troy University

32-19, 12-9

South Alabama

29-16-1, 14-7

South Alabama

Troy

4/28/2024 5:45:00 PM | Softball

Box Score Box Score

By: Athletics Communications

TROY, Ala – Troy softball dropped a heartbreaker game on senior night against South Alabama, losing 7-2 at the Troy Softball Complex Sunday afternoon.

After two scoreless innings, South Alabama (29-16, 14-7 SBC) struck first in the third frame when the Jaguars' Marley Sims reached on a fielder's choice, giving Gabby Stanger a base runner. Stanger then fired one up the middle for a stand-up double, scoring Sims when a ground out ended the inning with South Alabama leading 1-0.

Troy (32-19, 12-9 SBC) battled back to even the score in the home half of the third inning when Natalie Turner singled to right field, then scored off a Jaguar error, evening the game at 1-1.

The Jaguars would hang a two-spot in the fourth inning on three hits. Sasha Willems and Bailey Welch would start with an infield and outfield single, respectively. A triple cleared the bases for the Jaguars, taking the lead at 3-1.

The fourth inning would look much like the third, with South Alabama recording three runs on three hits. Putting pressure on Libby Baker, the Jaguars loaded the bases when a fielder's choice, a sacrifice fly and a single cleared the bases. The Jaguars pulled away with a 6-1 lead.

The Jaguars would plate one more run in the sixth inning when Mackenzie Brasher was issued a walk then stole second. She was bunted over to third when a wild pitch by Savannah Money sent her home, sealing the Jaguars' 7-1 lead.

The Trojan offense picked up in the sixth frame off the bat of Baker. Baker ripped a home run to left center on a 3-0 count. Troy would draw a walk in Kayden Dunn when back-to-back strikeouts ended the inning.

Troy used three pitchers from the circle Baker, Savannah Money and Kate Peters. Baker added 4.2 innings to her already impressive resume, where she gave up eight hits and six earned runs. Money and Peters each went for an inning where neither gave up a hit, but Money issued a walk that turned into an earned run.

Thoughts from Eric Newell

"We are disappointed in the outcome, but the silver lining is that we had six incredible seniors with incredible careers here in Troy. In wins and losses, you can always learn from them, and you can always be leaders. That's a great group. Their leadership has shown throughout the season. We've had a good bit of adversary; we've had this or that happen in the season, but they have continued to rise to the top. Even though we didn't get the outcome that we wanted, there is time to celebrate these seniors who have meant so much to Troy softball.

Notable

Libby Baker ripped her 11 home run of the year, 31 of her career. She now sits at number six in the all-time career home run leaders.
D'Aun Riggs batted a .500 on the game, going 2-for-4 from the plate.
Kate Peters made her 12 appearance of the season.