The Troy softball team came out victorious in both games of its double header on the road against Southern Mississippi on Tuesday, April 7.
The Trojans (24-17, 7-5 Sun Belt) have now won six straight games, as they continue to ascend the rankings of the Sun Belt Conference standings. As of Tuesday, the Trojans sit at fourth place in the conference.
Sophomore right fielder Becca Hartley led the Trojans offensively in the first game as they once again came back from an early deficit to come out on top.
Hartley went 1-1 with three RBIs to go along with a home run.
The Golden Eagles (16-21, 2-10 Conference USA) got on the board early with an RBI single through the left side from junior designated player Katie Cleary to go up 1-0 in the first.
As is characteristic of the Trojans this season, they came back and claimed the lead when Hartley hit a two-run homer over the center field fence to make the score 2-1 in the third inning.
Another solo homer in the same inning from junior pitcher Ashley Rainey widened the gap to 3-1.
A sacrifice fly from Hartley allowed Benton to score in the fifth inning, giving Hartley her third RBI of the game.
A late unearned run from a walk with the bases loaded brought in a second run for the Golden Eagles, but they were unable to generate enough offence to overcome the Trojans in the seventh inning.
Despite giving up seven hits, Troy only allowed two runs to make the final score 4-2.
The second game of the doubleheader saw more offensive success, with the Trojans racking up nine hits and limiting Southern Mississippi to just three.
The Golden Eagles played Troy to a stalemate through the first five innings, until they were able to draw first blood with an RBI single up the middle of the field from freshman right fielder Samantha Reynolds.
It was the only run allowed by the Trojans that game.
Troy countered when junior catcher Hannah Day tied the game at one with a solo home run over the left field fence.
Senior first baseman Michelle Phelps was the hero for the Trojans in the game, hitting the eventual game-winning two-run homer to make the score 3-1.
Southern Mississippi was unable to come back from the late deficit, allowing the Trojans to take the series sweep.
The Trojans are now two-games into a ten-game road stretch that will cover the span of 15 days.
Troy will return to the diamond on Saturday, April 11, for a doubleheader against conference opponent Texas State. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.
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