Softball earns huge series win on the road

Troy Athletics photo

Mia Tidmore slides into second base in a game against UMass.

On the road in San Marcos, Texas, Troy went out and took two out of three games from Texas State. The Trojans earned their first-ever series victory at Texas State, dropping the Sun Belt Conference-leading Bobcats.

After dropping the first game of the series, Troy bounced back with two gritty wins.

“This is a big time series victory,” said head coach Eric Newell. “Our team has had so many close losses in conference play this year and to come on the road at Texas State and clinch the series in a one-run game is clutch.”

From the plate, Taylor McKinney and Annie Orman were consistently powering the Troy offense. McKinney finished the series 4-for-11 with a home run and ran her on-base streak to 33 games – the longest in school history.

Orman, who has been on a tear for the Trojans as of late, went 5-for-11 with four RBIs and a home run in the series opener. After not homering until Mar. 30 against ULM, she has now hit seven home runs this season.

Troy dropped an 11-6 contest to Texas State to start the series, as the Bobcats hit a go-ahead grand slam in the sixth inning. The Trojans had a 5-1 lead but couldn’t withstand an eight-run sixth inning from the home team.

“Tonight was a tough loss, and my heart hurts for the team,” Newell said. “I thought we played pretty well, especially in the first five innings.”

The Trojans evened the series with a 4-2 win in game two, with a three-run first inning powering them past the Bobcats.

From the circle, Alyssa Faircloth held the Texas State offense in check. She pitched seven innings, striking out four and allowing five hits in the complete game.

The Trojans got things started early, scoring three runs in the first inning. Cassidy Boltz drove an RBI double to left field to score one run, and Dailynn Motes followed it up with a two-RBI single to give Troy a 3-0 lead.

Troy withstood a comeback effort from Texas State, as Faircloth left the bases loaded in the seventh inning to end the game.

Makaley Boswell’s go-ahead double in the seventh inning fueled Troy’s 3-2 series-clinching win over Texas State.

After Texas State tied the game up 2-2 with an RBI single in the bottom of the sixth, Mia Tidmore led off the seventh inning with a bunt single. Boswell roped a double to right-center field to bring her home and give Troy the lead.

A spectacular diving catch by Orman in right field helped Savannah Money close the game out. Three Trojan pitchers combined to hold the Bobcats to six hits and two runs in the rubber match.

Boswell fueled Troy from the plate as the Trojans battled Bobcats ace Madison Azua for six innings. Texas State utilized an opener but pulled her after she gave up two runs in the second inning.

The Troy second baseman went 3-for-4, driving in two RBIs. In the win, Boswell recorded her third three-hit game of the season.

After Mya Holt started the game with 2.1 strong innings, Kate Peters entered the game and fired 2.2 scoreless innings, allowing only two hits.

Following the series win, the Trojans are 8-10 in conference play – they sit at ninth place in the Sun Belt, and the top 10 teams make the conference tournament that will be played in Troy next month.

Troy continues conference play with another road series at Georgia State, which is 2-16. The series starts at 5 p.m. on Friday.