For six innings, Troy continued to struggle to score runs. The Trojans flipped on the switch in the eighth inning.

Trailing 6-2, Troy scored five runs to take a 7-6 lead to spring the team to victory over Arkansas State in the series opener.

Tyler Vaughn walked to lead off the inning and quickly scored on Jake Harrell’s double to right field.

Harrell would score on Tyler Hannah’s single up the middle. Logan Pierce followed with a two-RBI double to tie the score at 6-6. Pierce advanced to third on a wild pitch before Boone Shear’s sacrifice fly to right scored him.

“We’ve been waiting on a win like this for a long time,” head coach Bobby Pierce said. “We had some great at bats that helped capitalize on opportunities.”

The Trojans bats were silent early. Arkansas State starter Jacob Lee struck out 10 batters in six innings of work.

The Trojans would strand 11 runners for the game.

The Red Wolves broke through on Tyler Ray in the second with a two-run homerun by Ryan Roberts.

Arkansas State would score four runs in the seventh before the Trojans scored seven unanswered to earn the victory.

A.J. Howard struck out all three batters he faced in picking up the win in relief,

“Hopefully this win will carry us a long way,” Bobby Pierce said. “A.J. picked the whole team up with his performance.”

Logan Pierce finished the game 2-for-4 with four RBI.

Danny Collins was 3-for-5 on the night.

Ray pitched seven innings for the Trojans allowing six earned runs, striking out six while walking two.

The Trojans will play the second game of the series against Arkansas State Saturday at 7 p.m. at Riddle-Pace Field.

John Mann contributed to this report.