Troy Baseball kicked off its Sun Belt Conference season with a solid series win over Old Dominion, clinching the final game 9-4 at Riddle-Pace Field.
The Trojans, now 8-11 overall and 2-1 in the conference, received an impressive performance from junior pitcher Dylan Alonso, who struck out a career-high seven batters while allowing just two runs on three hits over five innings. Troy built momentum early, racing to a 6-1 lead in the first three innings.
Old Dominion’s starter, JJ Gatti, struggled with control in the second inning, leading to Troy’s first run. The Trojans really broke through in the third inning. A throwing error on a bunt by Drew Nelson allowed Zaid Diaz to score from second base, which opened the scoring floodgates. Blake Cavill hit an RBI single, followed by Houston Markham’s sacrifice bunt for another run. Nolan Book and Josh Pyne then added two more runs to the tally.
Troy’s bullpen kept the lead secure. Zach Crotchfelt struck out two in two innings but allowed a couple of runs. Cooper Ellingworth stepped in, delivering two scoreless innings with three strikeouts, allowing only one hit.
The Trojans added extra insurance runs throughout the game, including an RBI single from Steven Meier in the fifth and another from Cavill in the eighth.
### Key Highlights
– Troy has started the Sun Belt Conference season with a series win for three consecutive years.
– The pitching staff collectively struck out 12 hitters, close to their season high.
– Alonso, in his first start as a Trojan, is leading the team with three wins, matching his saves total.
– The team drew nine walks, the most this season, with Zaid Diaz making headlines by drawing four walks in one game.
### Expert Insights
According to sports analyst Mark Johnson, “Effective pitching and strong batting can really set the tone for a season. Troy’s ability to capitalize on Old Dominion’s mistakes shows their readiness for the challenges ahead.”
### User Reactions
On social media platforms, fans celebrated the team’s win. Tweets about the game praised Alonso and expressed excitement for upcoming matches. The energy was contagious, with supporters feeling optimistic about the team’s trajectory this season.
### Historical Context
Historically, Troy has a strong baseball program, often performing well in conference play. An upward trend in both pitching and batting statistics signals good things for the season ahead and recalls the team’s past successes in the Sun Belt.
The Trojans will look to continue their success when they face Alabama State next in Montgomery.
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