Troy 2, USA 0
MOBILE, Ala. – Nikki Hollet’s two-run homer Wednesday night lifted Sun Belt Conference foe Troy over the University of South Alabama softball team 2-0 at Jaguar Field.
With the loss, the Jaguars are now 27-8 overall and 7-3 in conference play.
“I think tonight was about execution," USA head coach Becky Clark said. “There were two good teams going at it and we didn’t execute. It wasn't a lack of effort but tonight was just one of those days where they got the job done and we didn’t.”
Despite taking the loss, sophomore pitcher Morgan Druhan (8-4) pitched well, striking out seven Troy batters and holding the Trojans to just three hits.
Senior pitcher Ashlyn Williams (10-11) earned the win for the Trojans (22-18, 3-7) as she went the distance in the circle. She allowed only two hits and struck out 13.
Brittany Fowler and Haley Hopkins recorded the only two hits in the game for the Jaguars.
Hollet led the Trojan offense with a 1-for-2 performance at the plate, scoring and driving in two. Taylor Smart added one hit for Troy.
The Jags threatened to score in the bottom of the second. Lead-off hitter Christin Crocker reached on a pass ball after a strikeout, and then advanced all the way to third on Haley Richard’s sac bunt. Wiilliams though was able to retire the next two jaguar batters to get out of the inning unscathed.
The Trojans looked like they might get on the board in the top of the third as Sarah Shields and Kourtney Cooper both drew walks, but Troy could not advance as pinch runner Kallie Rawlinson was thrown out at first. Druhan then struck out Ashley Adkins and forced Kelly Luquette to pop up for the last out of the side and get out of the jam.
USA had another missed opportunity in the in the bottom of the third when Jenny Stevens walked and then stole her team-leading 24th base. With two outs, Fowler worked out a walk to put runners in scoring position, but Williams recorded the final strikeout of the inning leaving the two Jaguar base runners stranded.
In the top of the fourth, the Trojans broke the scoreless tie scoring the only two runs of the ball game. Taylor Smart lined a double to right centerfield to start the inning - the first hit surrendered by Druhan. Hollet then homered over the left field wall to drive in Smart. Druhan bounced back and forced the final three outs of the inning.
The Jaguars return to action Saturday with a doubleheader against SBC foe Louisiana Lafayette. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. at Jaguar Field.
For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).
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