TROY, Ala. – Troy scored three times in the first inning Friday and defeated SIUE 4-0 in the opening game of the 2023 softball season.
The Cougars' Piper Montgomery led the team with two hits in game one of the Trojan Classic.
"Piper has been hitting well for quite a while now," said SIUE Head Coach Ben Sorden. "Today she had her approach when she went in the box and was seeing the ball well. She executed her plan."
SIUE's Kelsey Ray threw 5 2/3 innings in relief of Lexi King, who took the loss. Ray struck out four batters and walked two while allowing just two hits.
"I thought Kelsey Ray absolutely did a fantastic job coming in with runners on (in the first inning)," said Sorden. "I thought she controlled the hitters and controlled the count. She did a stand-up job today."
Ray went pitch for pitch with Troy starter Leanna Johnson, who fanned five SIUE batters. It was the senior's 78th career victory after going 20-12 last season for the Trojans.
Troy managed just six hits against SIUE pitching, including two from Sun Belt preseason Player of the Year Kelly Horne.
SIUE has two games scheduled at the Trojan Classic. The Cougars are scheduled to play Belmont at 11 a.m. and Troy at 2 p.m.
"At the end of the day we need to get out and play," added Sorden.
