Troy lost both games of a Saturday doubleheader against Appalachian State, falling 13-7 in the first game and 5-0 in the second, according to a May 2 announcement. The Trojans, now holding a record of 22-25 overall and 12-11 in Sun Belt Conference play, saw strong starts from pitchers Benjamin Stubbs and Tommy Egan before late-inning rallies by the Mountaineers changed the outcome.
The significance of these losses lies in Troy’s struggle to maintain leads into the later innings. In game one, Troy led 5-2 entering the seventh inning before Appalachian State scored eleven runs during that frame. Stubbs was removed after allowing several baserunners without recording an out. Three relievers—Cooper Ellingworth, Blake Dean, and Noah Thigpen—were used to finish the inning as App State collected eight hits during their big rally.
Offensively for Troy in game one, Blake Cavill and Josh Pyne executed a double steal for two early runs. Pyne and Cavill also hit back-to-back solo home runs in the third inning while Sean Darnell added an RBI single. Jimmy Janicki contributed with an RBI double later on and hit his fourteenth home run of the season in the ninth.
In game two, Egan pitched five scoreless innings before giving up an unearned run in the sixth. Zach Crotchfelt relieved him but gave up a three-run homer to Riley Tuft after allowing two baserunners. Gage Peterson started for App State and limited Troy’s offense to three hits over seven shutout innings.
Head Coach Skylar Meade said: “These guys [Stubbs and Egan] are throwing in the seventh inning, and it should be zero or one run. You can’t ask for much more, but it’s collaborative in the way we turned the game. If you’re having good starts, you’re in position, but just not good enough in the seventh and beyond. Crotch has been so good for us, so I hate it for him.”
Looking ahead, Troy will try to avoid being swept when they conclude their series against Appalachian State on Sunday at 1 p.m., with Hayden Smith scheduled as starting pitcher.
