The Troy baseball team had its first conference series from Friday, March 11, to Sunday, March 13, against No. 16-ranked University of Louisiana-Lafayette, sandwiching a win between a pair of losses at home.
Despite losing five of their last seven games, the Trojans (10-8, 1-2 Sun Belt) were able to pick up their first conference win against the Ragin’ Cajuns (10-6, 2-1 Sun Belt) at Riddle-Pace Field.
After falling behind 2-0 at the top of the sixth inning, Troy brought the score even with one swing from senior shortstop Peyton Fuller. Fuller hit a home run down the left field line to score himself and freshman second baseman Brandon Lockridge.
The game remained tied until ULL put two runs across the plate in the top of the ninth. Junior right fielder Ishmael Edwards doubled down the third base line to score junior shortstop Brad Antchak, and Edwards later scored on a single by junior catcher Nick Thurman.
The final score was 4-2 in favor of the Ragin’ Cajuns.
Troy rebounded from the loss in the second game, despite ULL scoring first. In the third inning, a single by freshman second baseman Hunter Kasusls brought in a run.
That was the only run plated the entire game, as senior pitcher Lucas Brown gave up only seven hits, and put up six strikeouts in a complete game.
Troy retaliated in the bottom of the third, scoring on an error by Antchak. Lockridge and senior left fielder Cameron Sanders reached home on the play to make the score 2-1.
The team did not wait long to put up two more runs. Junior right fielder Trevor Davis singled up the middle to score Lockridge and Sanders again.
The play set the score at 4-1, a lead that Troy held onto for the remainder of the game.
In the third and final game of the series on Sunday, Troy started quickly with two runs in the bottom of the first inning.
Senior designated hitter Austin Hulsey hit a sacrifice fly to left field, putting Lockridge across the plate. Fuller singled to right center to bring in Davis.
After putting up a run in the second inning, the Cajuns tied the game on a single by Sensley. Junior third baseman Joe Robbins scored on the play.
The tie did not last long, as ULL put across three more runs in the fourth inning. Junior first baseman Alex Pinero homered to right field to put one across, and then Herrington tripled to right field to score Thurman.
Herrington scored the final run of that inning on a groundout by Mills.
The Trojans tried to mount a comeback in the sixth as Fuller put Hulsey across the plate on a double down the left field line, but that was the only run Troy could score in the inning to make the score 5-3.
ULL put another run across in the eighth when Mills singled up the middle to score Pinero, and two more in the ninth. Senior second baseman Stefan Trosclair scored on a sacrifice bunt by Kasuls, advancing Antchak to second, and Pinero singled up the middle to score.
Troy dropped the last game 8-3.
Troy’s next series is against Georgia Southern in Statesboro, Georgia, from Friday, March 18, to Sunday, March 20. First pitch of the series is scheduled for 7 p.m.
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