The Troy Trojans softball team opened up strong against the No. 5 Alabama Crimson Tide, but a five-run third inning and three-run fourth crushed any hopes of a mid-week upset Wednesday night in Tuscaloosa. The Trojans lost 9-1 in five innings.

Nikki Hollett homered to left center to give the Trojans (28-8) a 1-0 advantage in the second inning, but Bama (28-6) scored eight runs in the next two innings to take an 8-1 lead. They tacked on one in the fifth inning for the 9-1 victory.

Ashlyn Williams (20-6) took the loss in the circle for Troy and Charlotte Morgan picked up the win.

Williams pitched four innings and allowed eight runs, seven earned, on 12 hits. She had two strikeouts and six walks.

Hollett’s blast was the only run the Trojans scored and Hillary Hughes, Heidi Johnson, Rocky Paige and Sarah Shields each added one hit.

Up next for Troy is a home conference series this weekend.

On Saturday the Trojans host FAU in a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. and play the series finale Sunday beginning at 1 p.m.