Troy University Athletics
Friday, March 7
Troy, Ala.
3 p.m.
Troy University
vs
UMass
Trojans Host UMass for Weekend Series
3/6/2025 12:36:00 PM | Softball
Troy, Ala. – Following a midweek loss to Auburn, Troy softball welcomes UMass for the last weekend series before conference play starts. The Minutewomen (5-10) are coming off a 1-4 weekend at the UNCW Tournament.
Troy looks to bounce back in its first home game since Feb. 19 and kicks off a nine-game homestand.
Game Information
Date: Mar. 7 | Mar. 7 | Mar. 8 | Mar. 9
Time: 3 p.m. | 5 p.m. | 10 a.m. | 11 a.m.
Who: Troy (12-9) vs UMass (5-10)
Location: Troy Softball Complex -- Troy, Ala.
Watch: ESPN+
Auburn Recap
The Trojans fell 12-2 to Auburn on Wednesday night. Although Troy controlled the game for the first three innings, Auburn scored 12 runs in the fourth inning to pull away.
Alyssa Faircloth was untouchable for the first three innings – she struck out eight of the first 11 batters she faced, and the Tigers didn't put a ball in play until there were two outs in the third inning.
Kayden Dunn crushed a two-run home run in the second inning to give the Trojans an early lead. Troy looked to widen the lead in the fourth after getting a few runners on base – Reese Green slapped a single through the left side, but Auburn threw out Megan Loftis at home.
After keeping the deficit at two with the big play, the Tigers continued the momentum with their massive fourth inning. Auburn hit four homers in the frame to run-rule Troy.
Minute to Win it
UMass enters the series sitting at 5-10, with its best win coming against Power Four Maryland. Even in losses, the Minutewomen have held opponents' offenses in check – UMass hasn't surrendered a home run this season.
UMass is led by outfielder Riley Kairer, who has a .985 OPS and a team-high 13 hits this year. From the circle, Natalee Horton has made six starts and holds a 3.53 ERA. The junior has struck out 29 batters is 33.2 innings.
Notables
Troy looks to bounce back in its first home game since Feb. 19 and kicks off a nine-game homestand.
Game Information
Date: Mar. 7 | Mar. 7 | Mar. 8 | Mar. 9
Time: 3 p.m. | 5 p.m. | 10 a.m. | 11 a.m.
Who: Troy (12-9) vs UMass (5-10)
Location: Troy Softball Complex -- Troy, Ala.
Watch: ESPN+
Auburn Recap
The Trojans fell 12-2 to Auburn on Wednesday night. Although Troy controlled the game for the first three innings, Auburn scored 12 runs in the fourth inning to pull away.
Alyssa Faircloth was untouchable for the first three innings – she struck out eight of the first 11 batters she faced, and the Tigers didn't put a ball in play until there were two outs in the third inning.
Kayden Dunn crushed a two-run home run in the second inning to give the Trojans an early lead. Troy looked to widen the lead in the fourth after getting a few runners on base – Reese Green slapped a single through the left side, but Auburn threw out Megan Loftis at home.
After keeping the deficit at two with the big play, the Tigers continued the momentum with their massive fourth inning. Auburn hit four homers in the frame to run-rule Troy.
Minute to Win it
UMass enters the series sitting at 5-10, with its best win coming against Power Four Maryland. Even in losses, the Minutewomen have held opponents' offenses in check – UMass hasn't surrendered a home run this season.
UMass is led by outfielder Riley Kairer, who has a .985 OPS and a team-high 13 hits this year. From the circle, Natalee Horton has made six starts and holds a 3.53 ERA. The junior has struck out 29 batters is 33.2 innings.
Notables
- Troy is 1-1 against UMass all-time, winning a 5-1 game in 2019
- Troy leads the Sun Belt Conference in steals (39) and is second in doubles (33) and home runs (17)
- Alyssa Faircloth leads the Sun Belt Conference in strikeouts – 22nd in the nation -- and has held opponents to a .218 batting average, fourth in the conference
- Faircloth has a 9.53 K/7 ratio, which is the best among qualified Sun Belt Conference pitchers and 25th in the nation
- McKinnon Howard leads the Sun Belt Conference with a .500 batting average and is fourth in on-base percentage (.500) and ninth in steals (6)
Players Mentioned
INF
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
UTL
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
OF
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