Troy hit four home runs and defeated the University of Arkansas-Little Rock 12-2 on Friday in the opening game of the NCAA Troy (Ala.) Super Regional at Riddle-Pace Field.
The loss puts UALR on the brink of elimination in the best-of-three series. The Trojans jumped on the Trojans early, building a comfortable lead that they never relinquished.
Jabe Boroff provided the offensive fireworks for Troy, hitting two of the four home runs — including a grand slam in the bottom of the eighth inning that set the final score. The devastating inning broke open what had been a competitive game through seven innings.
UALR entered the super regional as the No. 2 seed from the Fayetteville Regional, where they earned their way past competition to advance. But Troy, the regional host, proved why they earned the top seed in the bracket.
The Trojans have been one of the most prolific offenses in the Sun Belt Conference this season, and Friday’s performance reinforced that reputation. Boroff’s grand slam capped a six-run eighth inning that turned a 6-2 game into the 12-2 final.
For UALR, the loss marks a difficult start to the most important baseball weekend in the program’s recent history. The Trojans have built toward this moment under head coach Chris Curry, who has emphasized building a program capable of competing at the highest level of college baseball.
The winner of this super regional will earn a spot in the College World Series at Omaha, Neb. — a destination that has eluded both programs throughout their histories. Neither UALR nor Troy has ever qualified for the CWS, making this series a milestone moment for whichever team advances.
The second game of the best-of-three series is scheduled for 2 p.m. Central on Saturday at Riddle-Pace Field. If UALR can force a Game 3, it would be held Sunday at a time to be determined.
UALR will need to find answers quickly. Saturday’s game presents a must-win situation for the Trojans, who will need to either tie the series or force a decisive third game to keep their College World Series dreams alive.
The super regional marks UALR’s first appearance in the round of 16 since the tournament format changed in 2003. The Trojans earned their spot by winning the Fayetteville Regional last weekend, defeating teams from Vanderbilt and Oklahoma State in the process.
Troy, meanwhile, entered the super regional as the No. 7 national seed and has been one of the hottest teams in the country over the past month. The Trojans won the Sun Belt Conference tournament and carried that momentum into regional play.
Saturday’s game will likely determine whether UALR’s historic season continues or comes to an end. The Trojans have two chances to win one game against a Troy team that has now shown its offensive capability in a high-stakes environment.
Source: NWA Democrat Gazette
