Troy Drops Game Two to Arkansas State as Series Evens

Friday, April 3

Troy, Ala.

6 p.m.

Troy University

14-17, 5-6

Arkansas State

19-11, 6-5

Arkansas State

Troy

Troy Drops Game Two to Arkansas State as Series Evens

4/3/2026 10:17:00 PM | Baseball

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By: Troy Athletics Communications

TROY, Ala. - Two swings of the bat were the difference as Troy fell to Arkansas State 6-4 at Riddle-Pace Field to even the series.

The Red Wolves (19-11, 6-5 SBC) hit two homers, both with two outs, to score their six runs. Evan Griffis hit a grand slam in the third inning after A-State loaded the bases on a single, a walk and an HBP against Troy (14-17, 5-6 SBC) starter Matt Dill. In the seventh, a two-out walk by Blake Dean led to a two-run homer to Arkansas State shortstop Patrick Engskov.

The Trojan offense outhit the Red Wolves 9-8, highlighted by a two-run homer in the fourth inning by Steven Meier, but A-State drew six walks to Troy's one.

Troy threatened with two runs in the eighth on back-to-back doubles from Josh Pyne and Blake Cavill and an RBI single from Jimmy Janicki after righty Brett Foss had been scoreless across his first three innings of work, but Cooper Garrison got them out of the jam and allowed just a leadoff single to Nelson in the ninth.

On the mound, Arkansas State starter Jack Nelson cruised through the first three innings before issuing Meier's homer in the fourth. For the Trojans, Brock Tapper followed Dill with 2.2 scoreless innings of relief. Dean struck out three hitters, recording the final out of the sixth on a strikeout before punching out two more in the seventh. Noah Thigpen finished the game with 2.1 scoreless innings, retiring all seven batters he faced.

Notables

Josh Pyne hit his tenth double of the season and the 68th of his career, which is the most among active Division-I players.
Blake Cavill extended his reached base streak to a team-high 20 games.
Steven Meier's two-run home run in the fourth inning was his fourth homer of the season. It traveled 389 feet with an exit velocity of 98 MPH.
Drew Nelson recorded the first four-hit game of his career.
Nelson also recorded the first two-double game of his career. His ten doubles on the season are tied with Pyne for the team lead.

Quotable
Head Coach Skylar Meade
"They get them [the home runs] because we decided to walk people. We weren't good with two outs. If you maintain focus and are good with two outs, you'll have a chance to win the game, and inevitably, you probably do."

Next Up
Game three between Troy and Arkansas State is slated for 12 p.m. Saturday at Riddle-Pace Field.