mid-week win over Faulkner

By RICKY COUCH

Sports Writer

The Troy State University Trojans took a mid-week win from Faulkner Tuesday night. The Trojans used three big offensive spurts to hold off the Eagles 11-6.

Troy State fell behind early 1-0, but answered in a big way with a five-run second. Faulkner gave the Trojans their first two allowing the Trojans to score on errors. Then with two men aboard Jonathan Smithers slammed a three-run shot to give the Trojans a 5-1 lead.

But the Eagles would not go away. Faulkner added a run in the second, third and fourth innings to make the game close at 5-4.

The Trojan bats responded with a three-run fifth to add a little breathing room. Marek Driver and Jonathan Smithers each delivered RBI singles for the Trojans while Jay Brown gained an RBI by walking with the bases loaded making it 8-4.

Faulkner was still not quite ready to go home. The Eagles came back with a two-run sixth to make the game close again at 8-6, but Troy State’s third offensive explosion in the seventh was too much for Faulkner to overcome.

The Trojans gained runs on a Faulkner balk with the other two coming on RBI doubles by Smithers and Derrel Kirkland. The final explosion allowed Troy State to take the 11-6 lead and head into the weekend on a winning note.

Jonathan Smithers lead the way for the Trojans going three-for-four with five big RBI’s. Marek Driver was close behind at two-for-five with an RBI of his own.

After gaining the mid-week win, it will be important for the Trojans to carry the momentum in the weekend series in order to attempt to qualify for the TAAC tournament.

Troy State will face off against Campbell on the road with a doubleheader on Friday and the final game of the series on Saturday.