Troy Run-Rules Alabama State Behind Nine-Run First Inning

Tuesday, March 31

Troy, Ala.

6 p.m.

Troy University

13-16

Alabama State

12-15

Alabama State

Troy

Troy Run-Rules Alabama State Behind Nine-Run First Inning

3/31/2026 11:09:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

By: Troy Athletics Communications

TROY, Ala. - A nine-run first inning propelled Troy to a 14-2 run-rule victory over Alabama State at Riddle-Pace Field Tuesday night.

The Trojans (13-16) brought 15 hitters to the plate in the opening frame, totaling six hits, four walks, and two HBPs to score nine runs, highlighted by a grand slam from second baseman Sean Darnell in the nine-hole. Alabama State (12-15) starter Caleb Sanders recorded two outs and was charged with nine earned runs.

The Trojans recorded just one hit, a two-run single in the fourth by Josh Pyne, across the final six innings, but finished the ballgame with 18 free passes on 15 walks and three HBPs. Troy scored three runs without a hit in the sixth, drawing an HBP and five walks in the frame.

Darnell led Troy offensively with three walks after his grand slam, while Nolan Book reached base in all four of his plate appearances with three walks and an HBP. Blake Cavill delivered an RBI single in the first and drew a pair of walks, while Jimmy Janicki had three walks and two RBIs, driving a run home on a fielder's choice in the first before a bases-loaded walk in the sixth.

On the mound, Matt Dill set the tone with a scoreless first, allowing just one hit. Blake Dean followed with a strong two-inning stint, striking out three while surrendering one run on a hit and a walk.

Drew Nelson, who also started at DH, added a scoreless fourth with a strikeout, becoming the first Trojan to both hit and pitch in a game since Rigsby Mosley in 2022. Chase Cartron punched out one in a clean sixth before Brady Richardson allowed a run on one hit and one walk while recording a strikeout in the inning. Hayden Smith then closed it out with a 1-2-3 seventh.

Notables

Troy moves to 37-4 all-time against Alabama State, and has now won 19 straight over the Hornets.
Troy used the same starting lineup in two consecutive games for the first time this season.
Troy's offense drew a season high 15 walks. Troy's 15 walks were its most since drawing a program-record 17 walks against App State on April 14, 2024.
Drew Nelson pitched the fourth inning after starting the game as the DH. He's the first Trojan to pitch and hit in the same game since Rigsby Mosley against Indiana on March 13, 2022.
Blake Dean's 2.0 innings and three strikeouts were both season highs.
Blake Cavill extended his reached base streak to a team high 18 games, going 1-for-3 with a pair of walks.
Nolan Book's three walks were a career high.
Sean Darnell's grand slam in the first inning was his second homer of the season and third grand slam of his career. It traveled 394 feet with an exit velocity of 107 MPH.
Darnell's two homers this season came in consecutive at-bats, as he hit a three-run homer in the ninth inning of Troy's win at Georgia Southern on Sunday.
Darnell's four RBIs were a season high, and his three walks were a career high.

Quotable
Head Coach Skylar Meade
"We were just very disciplined. And I think the biggest part, and I'm sure it's what people will remember from the evening, is Sean Darnell's grand slam. He hit the big one on Sunday, and I feel that may have propelled him to another great swing. To me, that's the takeaway. 15 walks on the night. You don't always know that's going to happen, but it also happens when you stay within your plan."

Next Up
Troy returns to Sun Belt action at Riddle-Pace Field with a three-game series against Arkansas State Thursday through Saturday.