Trojans Sweep Friday in Troy Invitational

Friday, February 17

Troy, Ala.

2 p.m.

Troy University

3-2

Kennesaw State

2-3

Kennesaw State

Troy

2/17/2023 9:22:00 PM | Softball

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By: Troy Athletics Communications

TROY, Ala. – Troy picked up a pair of victories Friday on the opening day of the Troy Invitational at the Troy Softball Complex. The Trojans defeated Kennesaw State, 6-1, in the opener and knocked off Murray State, 4-2, in the nightcap.

Taylor McKinney led the Trojans at the plate, going 4-of-5, while Anslee Finch drove in three RBIs.

Troy 6, Kennesaw State 1
Errors plagued the first game's beginning, allowing the Trojans to pounce to the 1-0 advantage. D'Aun Riggs smacked it to third base and advanced to second on an Owls' error. Riggs immediately stole to third, setting her up after two batters found their way out. The left fielder capitalized on another mistake by the Owls (2-3) to put Troy on the board at the bottom of the first.

In the bottom of the second, McKinney singled through the right side with one out on the board. Then, with Audra Thompson at the plate, she hit it straight to the third basemen, who made another error which sent McKinney home, 2-0.

Jade Sinness kicked off the bottom of the third on the opening pitch, sending it over the outfield wall for her first home run of the season, 3-0. Then, after Kelly Horne and Libby Baker got on base with singles through the left side, Emma Grace Walker and Jaida McCord subbed in as pinch runners. A wild pitch by Lemanie Bennett allowed Walker to put Troy up 4-0.

Finch was up to bat, down 1-2, before she hit a grounder to second, bringing in McCord for the 5-0 lead. Then, with Kayden Dunn on third, McKinney drove her in with a sacrifice bunt to extend the lead to 6-0.

Troy's offense continued to produce but couldn't add any more runs to the board as KSU found one at the top of the fifth on a single for Brinaya Bailey, who singled to center field to drive in the team's sole run, 6-1.

Troy 4, Murray State 2
A scoreless first inning was met with a two-run second for Murray State. Lindsey Carroll singled to center field, followed by Ella Strickland to left center. With one out on the board and Carroll on third, Jadyn Thompson tried forcing her home with a light hit, but Leanna Johnson made the call to throw home for the second out. However, Lily Fischer went out and doubled to right center to drive in two runs, 2-0.

Murray State held the 2-0 advantage until the bottom of the third when Natalie Turner and Riggs hit their way on base. Runners on first and second, MSU subbed in Jenna Veber in the circle.

The next batter was Sinness, and with a full count, she singled up the middle to push Turner home, 2-1, and Riggs to second. Horne struck out, which opened the door for Baker, who singled through the left side to load the bases. A line drive to the pitcher from McKinney pushed everyone forward to tie the ballgame, 2-2. Finch reached the plate to put the exclamation point on the inning, singling to shortstop, which brought in the eventual winning run, 3-2.

Johnson handled her business the rest of the game, holding MSU scoreless despite allowing four hits. She ended the night with 12 strikeouts, including seven after Troy took the 3-2 lead to secure the victory.

For the second time on the day, the opening batter knocked one over the ball after Finch grabbed her second RBI of the game with her first home run of the season, 4-2, in the bottom of the sixth. This provided enough cushion for Johnson to sit down three straight batters via strikeout at the top of the seventh to improve to 3-1.

Saturday Plans
Troy opens day two of the Troy Invitational tomorrow at 2 p.m. against Murray State before ending the night at 5 p.m. with Kennesaw State.