Smith boosts Trojans to series win at Marshall

Troy baseball secured the win in its road series against the Marshall Thundering Herd, with the cherry on top being a shutout in the series finale. The Trojans dropped the series opener 7-4 before storming back with 8-2 and 1-0 wins.

Trojans Hayden Smith and Cooper Ellingworth were the magic in the finale, with nine scoreless innings, six to Smith and three to Ellingworth. After holding Jacksonville State scoreless for five frames on Tuesday, Smith finished the week with 11 scoreless innings.

“The story of the day was Hayden Smith,” said head coach Skylar Meade. “I think that goes without saying.

“What a week. 11 innings, scoreless. He certainly ought to be the pitcher of the week. It’s hard pressed to see guys throwing 11 innings of scoreless baseball.”

The Trojans dropped the series opener, 7-4, as the Thundering Herd came in strong behind left-hander Bryce Blevins, who pitched a complete game.

Despite three solo homers from Jimmy Janicki, Steven Meier and Blake Cavill, and an RBI double from Caden Reeves, the Trojans couldn’t keep up with runs as Marshall scored six off Troy starter Benjamin Stubbs and one more off Ellingworth.

The Trojans continued the long ball on Saturday, but this time it helped them secure the win, 8-2.

Blake Cavill opened the game with a solo home run to right field, and Caden Reeves followed suit as he smashed a pair of two-run home runs in the fourth and eighth frame. Troy scored its other runs off a walk, a balk and a wild pitch.

“I thought it was our cleanest, most efficient game,” Meade said. “We certainly had some thump - Caden with the two home runs and Blake in the first.

“We just grinded and made their guy throw 41 pitches in the first inning. Generally, if you make a guy grind, it’s going to put a stamp on the beginning of the game.”

Tommy Egan started the first six innings for the Trojans, holding Marshall scoreless on seven hits. After Marshall scored a double, Zach Crotchfelt entered the game and closed the door, retiring all eight hitters he faced in the final frames.

To finish the series, the Trojans completed their first shutout of the season in Smith’s first start.

“Honestly, the ball was just going where I was aiming,” said pitcher Hayden Smith. “There wasn’t much to it.

“I’m a lot better when I throw strike one - especially on a day like today, allowing them to put the ball in play is good for me. Being efficient, keeping the pitch count down and letting the defense work is my strategy, and it’s been paying off.”

Smith started with six scoreless innings, holding the Thundering Herd to three hits and striking out three on 61 pitches. Ellingworth came in the game to close the door in the final two frames, with the help of Troy’s defense, making four double plays.

Marshall starter Kenyon Collins had seven strong innings, allowing the lone run of the game from Aaron Piasecki after he singled, reached second on a Josh Pyne sacrifice bunt, moved to third on a wild pitch and finally scored on a passed ball.

In the finale, Blake Cavill extended his reached base streak to 33 games, and Jimmy Janicki extended his hitting streak to ten games.

After facing Georgia on the road Tuesday, The Trojans will return home for a series against Appalachian State at Riddle Pace Field, with the first game being set for Friday, May 1 at 6 p.m.