by Taylor Fraze
The Trojan’s softball team started its conference games this past weekend with a series against nationally ranked Texas State.
This series followed a Spring Break Challenge win in Jacksonville, Florida, the weekend before. Troy claimed wins in all four of their matchups in Jacksonville while also claiming a series sweep over Texas State. Despite the final game against the Bobcats ending in a tie, it is still considered a series sweep because the Trojans won the first two games. Troy is now on an eight-game win streak with a record of 21-7-1 and has started conference play 2-0-1.
The Spring Break Challenge in Jacksonville began March 10 with a matchup against the Army Black Knights. Troy came out on top 7-1 in the seven-inning matchup. Pitcher Leanna Johnson was credited with the win improving her season record to 12-2. She pitched four innings, only allowing one run on two hits. Johnson also only walked two batters in this game against Army.
Relief pitcher Haley Pittman is credited with a save after not allowing a single run for the final three innings. The Trojans started this game hot with two runs in the first inning but stalled until an offensive fourth inning. The Trojans scored five runs in the fourth inning to seal the win.
The second game of the challenge was also against Army. Troy throttled Army 8-0 in a well-rounded performance from the entire team. Johnson was credited with the win again after pitching four innings and only allowing two hits. Second baseman Taylor McKinney had herself a game, exploding on the offensive side of the ball. In two at-bats, McKinney had one home run, one triple and two RBIs. She also stole a base during this matchup. First baseman Libby Baker complimented McKinney’s performance with two RBIs of her own.
The final two matchups of the Spring Break Challenge were against Northern Kentucky and North Florida. Troy once again started slow on offense but exploded to a win in the top of the fifth inning. Troy won 9-2 over NKU with eight of the nine runs coming in the fifth inning. Despite not hitting a single home run, the Trojans still scored nine runs. Left fielder D’Aun Riggs and center fielder Jade Sinness led Troy with two RBIs a piece.
The final matchup of the challenge was against North Florida. Troy played UNF earlier in the year and split the games 1-1. This time was different as Troy pitched a shutout and won the game 5-0 over UNF. Johnson pitched all seven innings versus UNF, only allowing two hits and recording eight strikeouts. Troy left the spring break challenge with a 4-0 record and a matchup date set against No.25 Texas State.
Troy claimed the series over Texas State after winning both games of the doubleheader Saturdayand then tying the game on the following day. The first game of the doubleheader was a thriller with Troy hanging on for the victory 7-6.
No. 25 Texas State hit three home runs in the game, but Troy countered this with two of its own. Baker and Kennedi Gaton accounted for the Trojans’ home runs. Johnson pitched all seven innings allowing six runs on seven hits. She clutched up in the final inning only allowing one run on one hit. Johnson recorded nine strikeouts in the game as well.
The second game of the doubleheader did not disappoint either. Troy won the second game 6-3 in a come from behind win. Troy trailed 3-1 in the bottom of the sixth inning before scoring five runs to take the lead to 6-3. Troy’s hitting was much better than No. 25 Texas State in this game. No. 25 Texas State did not hit anything other than a single in the second game.
Riggs hit a single bringing two Trojans in to score to tie the game 3-3 in the bottom of the sixth inning. McKinney stepped up to the plate and hit a home run to right center to put the score at 6-3. This home run gave Troy the game and series win over No. 25 Texas State. The final game of the series ended in a 2-2 tie after seven innings due to the Bobcat’s travel plans. Gaton hit the lone Trojan home run for the game.
Troy continues its season this next week with a single game against Georgia Tech Wednesday, March 22 at 6 p.m. at the Troy Softball Complex. Conference play continues next weekend with a three-game series at ULM.
