with doubleheader sweep

From Special Reports

An RBI-single by senior second baseman Todd Lancaster in the bottom of the seventh inning drove home Foy Shemwell with the game-winning run in the second game of a Trans America Athletic Conference baseball doubleheader on Saturday, helping the Trojans sweep Samford, 11-1 and 4-3, at Riddle-Pace Field.

The wins secured a series victory for Troy State (18-24, 8-10 TAAC), which dropped Friday night’s game to the Bulldogs, 7-3.

Cale Wright (2-5) earned the win in the second game, pitching a complete game eight-hitter while allowing two earned runs and striking out three. Charlie Crabbe (2-4) suffered the loss for Samford (17-23, 5-13 TAAC), allowing two hits and two runs in one inning of relief.

In the first game, junior lefthander Kyle Goodson (3-3) pitched six strong innings for the win, allowing eight hits and one earned run while also striking out three. Josh Jerkins then recorded the final three outs to seal the victory. Jared Smith (0-2) suffered the loss in game one, allowing six runs and six hits in four-and-a-third innings.

"I was extremely pleased with our pitching today," Troy State coach John Mayotte said. "That was the difference in the game. We needed to play well in this series to stay in the conference picture, so I hope this can be the start of something that will carry us down the stretch."

Lancaster’s hit helped erase the memory of his costly error in the top half of the inning that allowed Samford’s Robert Evans to reach. An RBI-single by Sae Evans drove Robert Evans home two batters later to push the Bulldogs ahead, 3-2.

Troy State rallied in its final at-bat, however, to remain in seventh place in the league standings. The top six teams advance to the conference’s post-season tournament, which is scheduled for May 17-20 in Jacksonville, Fla.

In the first game, left fielder Jonathan Smithers was 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBIs to lead the Trojans, while Lancaster was 1-for-3 with two RBIs. Marek Driver and Casey Smith each added two hits for Troy State.

Troy State returns to action at home on Tuesday against Faulkner. Game time is set for 6:30 p.m. at Riddle-Pace Field.