The No. 18-ranked Troy Trojans (27-11, 11-5) opened a Sun Belt Conference series with a 9-3 win over the ULM Ragin’ Cajuns (19-20, 5-11) at home on Thursday. 

Troy was led at the plate in the series opening win by Brooks Bryan, who went 3-for-5 with a double and two RBIs, while Sean Darnell also tallied two hits, drove in one run and scored two runs. Jimmy Janicki also collected two hits and drove in a run. Jakob Wax scored three runs and Houston Markham drove in two runs. 

Garrett Gainous (6-1) got the win on the mound, striking out three batters and giving up just four hits and one earned run in five innings pitched. The win was Gainous’ 22nd career win on the mound, tying for the fifth most in school history. He also is now just two strikeouts shy of reaching third in school history in that category, as well. 

Colby Frieda pitched two innings and fanned two batters along with giving up three hits and one earned run in two innings of work. Both Brock Tapper and Adam Falinksi struck out three batters each in just one inning. Blake Cavill tallied eight putouts and one double play with no errors. Troy had no fielding errors as a team, as well. 

“It was great to be back at RPF (Riddle-Pace Field),” Troy Coach Skylar Meade said. “I thought the guys had a renewed, vigorant energy. The two-out hits were certainly helpful, which we had a good amount of those tonight. Brooks, Jimmy and Mr. Markham come to mind.”

Troy is back at it Friday and Saturday with series games against ULM at 6 and 3:33 p.m.