Trojans take game one of three against Northwestern State

An offensive outburst in the third inning combined with a shutdown performance by the Troy pitching staff propelled the No. 24 Trojans to a 7-1 win over Northwestern State at Riddle-Pace Field.

A leadoff double by Steven Meier ignited the flame in the third inning, while Blake Cavill and Brooks Bryan each added RBI singles. Gavin Schrader drove in a run on an error by the NSU shortstop, while Mike Bello picked up his third sacrifice fly of the season.

Troy starter Garrett Gainous went 5.0 innings, surrendering the Demons’ only run in the second inning. The senior right-hander allowed four hits and three walks while tallying three strikeouts. Gainous battled every time he had runners on base, rolling a double to get out of the first inning, stranding the bases loaded in the third inning and leaving two on base in the fourth inning.

The Troy bullpen duo of senior Grayson Stewart and freshman Noah Thigpen were dominant, holding Northwestern State hitless over the final four innings of the game. Stewart matched his season-high with three strikeouts, while Thigpen fanned two to match his season-high.

The Troy offense added some insurance with Meier scoring on a wild pitch in the fourth inning, Jimmy Janicki picking up an RBI single in the sixth inning and Peyton Watts doing the same in the seventh.

The Trojans return to action for game two against Northwestern State at noon on Saturday.