Trojans blast Owls with long ball
Published 9:58 pm Wednesday, February 25, 2009
KENNESAW, Ga. — Troy broke out the long ball on Wednesday, hammering five home runs against Kennesaw State in a 15-5 victory at Stillwell Stadium.
Junior catcher Steven Felix hit a total of six home runs in his first two seasons at Troy, but he homered twice on Wednesday, driving in five runs, as Troy (4-1) ran its all-time record against the Owls to 19-1.
Felix was joined in the home run derby by junior Ryan Ditthardt, who had a double in addition to his pair of homers. He also drove in five in the game for Troy. J.R. Myers got into the game as a pinch hitter in the eighth and added a solo blast of his own.
Lost in the offensive fireworks was a triple play the Trojans turned in the third inning, the first for Troy since May 23, 2007, against ULM at the Sun Belt Tournament in Mobile.
Junior Robby Loew (1-0) was the beneficiary of the offensive explosion. He worked four innings in his first start allowing two runs, one earned, on seven hits while striking out two.
KSU starter Justin Edwards (0-1) took the loss. He allowed four runs, all earned, on seven hits in four innings of work. The Owls (1-3) used a total of seven pitchers in the game.
The Trojans pounded out 14 hits in the game. In addition to the three by Ditthardt, the Trojans got two hits each from Felix, Steven Rosado and Brett Henry.
KSU was led at the plate by Martin Baker, who had four hits, including a pair of doubles. Josh Whitaker had a two-run homer in the eighth and drove in three in the game.
The Trojans will play their home opener at Riddle-Pace Field on Friday night when the Memphis Tigers visit for the start of a three-game series.