by Rylee Bamberger
Series sweeps, career milestones, offensive production and grand slams. The Troy softball series against Southern Miss had it all.
After three straight pitchers, the Trojans loaded the bases in the top of the fifth inning. The score was 6-3, and sophomore second baseman Taylor McKinney walked up to the plate.
With a 1-1 count, sophomore pitcher Paige Kilgore delivered the pitch. McKinney turned on the inside pitch and launched it over the center-field wall for her second career grand slam.
Leanna Johnson secured the run-rule victory with a shutout inning. The senior from Brantley, Alabama recorded her 1,004 strikeouts to end the game.
Johnson is currently 19-3 with 134 strikeouts on the season.
The series began on Friday, March 31 with a 5-1 victory for the Trojans. Troy was led by junior first-baseman Libby Baker’s two RBIs, including a solo home run in the top of the fifth inning. Junior infielder Kennedi Gaton complimented this performance with two RBIs of her own. Gaton hit a two-run home run in the top of the fourth inning after Audra Thompson singled to left field.
The second game of the series was a lower scoring affair. The Trojans won 3-0 over Southern Miss after Anslee Finch recorded two RBIs, including a solo home run in the top of the fourth inning. Freshman Olivia Cato recorded 5.1 scoreless innings for the Trojans, recording five strikeouts before Johnson relieved her.
Johnson pitched in all three games of the series, recording two wins and her second save of the season.
Troy looks to continue on its impressive series at home against Coastal Carolina. The Chanticleers are on a four-game winning streak, where they outscored their opponents 29-7. The three-game series begins on Thursday, April 6. The first pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.
