Amy Austin
Staff Writer
Throughout three hard fought games, the Troy University baseball team lost the series to the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, 2-1, on the road.
After 16 innings, the Troy Trojans took the loss as the UALR Trojans won 9-5.
The last time Troy played a 16-inning game was on April 25, 2007.
Troy took the lead quickly in game one as they scored four runs in the first inning and then another in the second inning to secure a 5-0 lead.
UALR slowly chipped away at Troy’s lead, as the UALR Trojans scored three runs in the third and then tied the game in the fifth.
Troy had multiple attempts to score runs but let each chance get away. In the 12th, 14th, 15th and 16th innings Troy had runners in scoring position but came up empty.
UALR took the game after Troy pitching loaded the bases. Then UALR’S senior outfielder Bryson Thionnet, who was zero-for-six throughout the entire game, hit one over the left field wall to win the game.
The lone win came on Saturday, April 19, as senior pitcher Shane McCain led the way for the Troy Trojans and the game progressed into extra innings once again.
Through eight innings, McCain had 12 strike outs. The last time a Troy pitcher struck out that many was Clegg Snipes in 2007 against Coastal Carolina.
In the top of the tenth, senior shortstop Tyler Vaughn and senior second baseman Garrett Pitts got on base due to a fielding error and an infield single. Junior designated hitter David Hall then hit a three-run homer that gave Troy the lead and the win.
On Easter Sunday, April 20, Troy took a 10-4 loss from UALR as the UALR Trojans came out swinging in the first inning.
Troy scored in the first to quickly open up the bats. Hall singled to score junior outfielder Clay Holcomb and gave Troy the 1-0 lead.
In the bottom half of the first, UALR hit three homers to contribute to a five-run inning. The UALR Trojans would have a total of five home runs throughout the course of the game.
UALR continued to add to their lead in the second on account of a Troy throwing error. Once again in the fifth, UALR increased their lead to 9-1.
Troy fought back in the top of the eighth but came up short. Hall had a single down the left field line and then senior outfielder Jakob Nixon had an RBI double, which helped cut the lead to 9-4.
Throughout game three, Holcomb was two-for-five and Hall was three-for-four.
Troy headed to Birmingham to take on Samford on Tuesday, April 22. Troy lost the game, 6-2.
On April 23, Troy traveled to Jacksonville to compete against Jacksonville State.
