Peyton Watts’ walk-off secures Troy’s sweep over Arkansas State
Published 9:24 am Monday, April 8, 2024
- Peyton Watts’ walk-off secured a conference sweep over Arkansas State for the Trojans. (Photo courtesy of Troy University Athletics)
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The Troy Trojans were back in Sun Belt Conference play this weekend and earned a three-game sweep over the Arkansas State Red Wolves.
Troy started the weekend off with a 14-0 win over Arkansas State on April 5 in seven innings. Aidan Gilroy went 2-for-3 at the plate with a double, a triple, one RBI and two runs, while Peyton Watts went 2-for-2 with a double, two RBIs and two runs. Luke Lyon mowed down nine batters and gave up two hits and no runs in seven innings pitched for his fourth win on the mound.
For ASU, Allen Grier and Jared Toler earned the lone hits of the day. Jelle van der Lelie took the loss on the mound, striking out five and giving up five hits and four earned runs in three and 1/3 innings pitched.
On Saturday, Troy threw a home run party as the Trojans picked up a 12-5 win. Will Butcher went 2-for-4 at the plate with a home run, one RBI and three runs, while Brooks Bryan went 2-for-4 with a double, a triple, three RBIs and two runs. Both Aidan Gilroy and Blake Sutton hit home runs, as well. Gilroy’s homer was a Grand Slam.
Clete Hartzog picked up his fourth win of the year, striking out three batters and giving up two hits and no runs in three innings pitched. Garrett Gainous fanned five batters and gave up six hits and three earned runs in his four and 1/3 innings on the mound.
For ASU, Brayden Caskey went 1-for-4 with a homer, one RBI and one run. Hunter Draper took the loss on the mound, striking out three batters and giving up six hits and seven earned runs in three and 1/3 innings pitched.
On Sunday, Troy went into the ninth inning leading 6-5, but ASU scored three runs in the top of the ninth to go up 8-6. In the bottom of the ninth, Tremayne Cobb Jr. hit an RBI single that drove Butcher home to bring Troy within one run. Watts then hit an RBI single that drove both Shane Lewis and Enterprise’s Parker Sessions home for the tying and winning runs.
“Just a simple game of baseball. You had two teams competing like crazy, and I’m excited we came out on top,” Troy Coach Skylar Meade said. “There were moments when we had the opportunity to finish the game, but you got to learn how to win in a billion different ways. Peyton Watts was certainly the star of the night. But all of our guys contributed today, and this team was full of belief that we could go out there and win that game. Some people act like they are ready for the moment, but Watts truly relishes them. He has a strong belief in himself, and he found a way.”
Watts went 3-for-5 at the plate with a double, a home run, five RBIs and one run. Bryan went 2-for-5 with a double and a run. Noah Manning earned his fifth win of the season, striking out one and giving up two hits and three earned runs in two innings pitched. Brady Fuller struck out three batters and gave up five hits and four earned runs in four innings on the mound.
For Arkansas State, Cason Campbell went 2-for-3 with a double, two RBIs and a run. Allen Grier hit a home run. Max Charlton took the loss, giving up two hits and three earned runs in 1/3 of an inning pitched. Dylan Heine struck out three batters and gave up three hits and two earned runs in four and 1/3 innings pitched.
Troy’s on the road things weekend for a conference series at Appalachian State April 12-14.