Special to the

MESSENGER

GREENVILLE – The Troy Ponytails split their first two games in the sub-district tournament, beating Greenville 13-7, but falling to Andalusia 19-0.

Troy broke open a close game with four runs in the fourth inning and seven runs in the sixth to beat Greenville. Whitney Merritt pitched four innings for Troy giving up two hits and striking out seven.

Leading hitters for Troy were Andi Messick, Emily Gilbert and Courtney Hester, who had two hits each. Lakeita Thomas, Whitney Merritt, Rachel Folmar, Kelli Montgomery, and Courtney Freeman also had hits for Troy.

Andalusia and Troy met in the second game on Saturday night, each boasting an undefeated record with Andalusia winning 19-0.

Troy had six errors in the first inning.

Andalusia scored nine runs in the first inning, and five each in the third and fourth innings.

Setting the pace for Andalusia was right fielder Jamila Couch, who scored three runs, including a two run homer in the fourth inning, and center fielder Anna Henderson, who scored three runs, beginning with two stolen bases in the first inning.

With a pair of runs each to their credit was Erin Chavers, with two stolen bases on a single and a triple, both in the first, then Ragen Griffin with a single and a walk on balls. Also pairing up was second baseman Hannah Reynolds.

For Troy, it took four full innings to make it through the batting order one and one half times.

Whitney Merritt was Troy’s leading batter. Merritt had a double to record the only Troy hit of the game.

Andalusia managed 10 stolen bases, all in the first and second innings.

Andalusia’s winning pitcher was Morgan Batty, who was relieved after two by Jessica Johns.

The losing pitcher for Troy was Andi Messick.

Troy faced Elba on Monday night in an elimination game to vie for the right to face the still undefeated Andalusia Ponytails on Tuesday night, for the championship.