The Troy softball team dropped its home series against conference opponent Georgia State 2-1.
The Trojans (17-7, 1-2 Sun Belt) won the opener 5-2 on Saturday, March 12, but lost the nightcap 1-6 and the finale 2-6 on Sunday, March 13. After a hot start to their season, the Trojans have now dropped three of their last six games headed into conference play.
In the conference opener, Troy jumped out to a quick lead, putting up two runs in the second behind a two-run homer from senior third baseman Khadija Neely. The following inning, the Trojans added to their lead with a two-run RBI double from senior right fielder Hannah Day and an RBI single courtesy of senior first baseman Amanda Winters.
The Panthers (14-12, 2-1 Sun Belt) plated a run in both the fourth and seventh innings, but it was too little, too late, as Troy claimed the first game of the series.
The nightcap of the first day’s doubleheader was a different story, however, as the Trojans struggled to put up runs against Georgia State. Behind seven innings of pitching from sophomore pitcher Annie Davis, the Panthers only allowed one run on five hits.
Six runs in four innings was all Georgia State needed to top Troy in the second game of the double header, as the home team struggled to score. Day recorded another RBI in the bottom of the third, making the score 4-1, but the Trojans were unable to plate any more batters, resulting in the 1-6 upset.
The tie breaking finale of the series was much the same story as the previous game, as the Trojans were unable to bring in enough runs to top the Panthers.
Troy started off well enough, generating a two-run lead thanks to a solo homer from sophomore right fielder Erica Davis and another RBI from Day. Five different Trojans recorded a hit in the game, but only two runners were brought in due to a stingy defense by Georgia State.
After falling behind 2-0 after three innings, the Panthers unleashed a flurry of runs in the fifth, plating five batters to take a commanding lead. The visitors capped off the game by extending that lead in the sixth inning.
One of seven total hits in the game bringing in the sixth run of the day. Despite this, senior pitcher Ashley Rainey took the loss for the Trojans, giving up four runs and walking three batters in nearly seven full innings of pitching.
Troy will look to bounce back in conference play on Friday, March 18, when it takes on Appalachian State in Boone, North Carolina. First pitch is scheduled for 12 p.m.
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