Softball takes down Warhawks

by Caleb Thomas

Leanna Johnson made Troy history as the softball team won a road series against ULM last weekend.

After holding ULM to four hits and two runs over six innings on Sunday, Johnson secured win No. 94 in her career – the most in school history. Johnson has had a historic senior season, with an elite 1.26 earned run average over 122.1 innings. 

Sunday’s 9-2 victory captured the series for the Trojans, who moved to 4-1-1 in Sun Belt Conference play and 23-9-1 overall.

While Troy jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in the game, ULM evened the game in the fourth inning. However, the game wouldn’t be tied for long with Libby Baker providing a sacrifice fly in the next inning. Baker gave the Trojans a lead they wouldn’t relinquish, as they piled on insurance runs to seal the 9-2 win.

Sunday’s high scoring affair was a far cry from the series opener, which saw Troy lose a 2-0 pitcher’s duel. Leanna Johnson did all she could, pitching six innings with only one earned run. However, the Warhawks mustered enough offense to win the game as ULM pitcher Victoria Abrams threw a one-hitter to neutralize the Troy offense. 

Troy rebounded in a big way on Saturday with a 7-2 win after a disappointing game on Friday. The bats provided plenty of pop, with a four run fourth inning pushing the Trojans to victory. 

Taylor McKinney’s three-RBI double was one of the major body blows of the day along with Baker’s three-run homer in the sixth. McKinney had an outstanding weekend, driving in a total of seven runs in the series. The second baseman sealed the game on Sunday with a grand slam in the sixth inning. 

Looking ahead, Troy is set to hit the road again this weekend, traveling to Hattiesburg, Mississippi, to face Southern Miss. The Golden Eagles are 15-12 overall and are winless in conference play after being swept by Louisiana and Marshall. The series begins on Friday at 5 p.m. with two more games on Saturday and Sunday.