A record-breaking crowd of 6,426 fans gathered at Riddle-Pace Field in Troy, Alabama, to witness the local team, Troy University, secure a decisive 12-2 victory over Arkansas-Little Rock in the first game of the Super Regional baseball series. The win brings Troy one step closer to joining the ranks of the Sun Belt teams that have reached the College World Series.

Game Highlights

The game began with Little Rock taking an early lead, scoring a run in the first inning. However, Troy quickly turned the tide with a powerful five-run second inning. Steven Meier initiated the rally with a single, followed by a triple from Troy native Drew Nelson, who later scored on a sacrifice fly by Sean Darnell.

The momentum continued as Aaron Piasecki hit a two-run home run, and Josh Pyne added a solo homer, energizing the home crowd. Little Rock’s starting pitcher, Brannon Westmoreland, struggled against Troy’s offense, allowing six runs and five earned runs over his time on the mound.

Jabe Boroff was a standout performer for Troy, hitting two home runs, including a grand slam in the eighth inning, bringing his total to six homers in the NCAA Tournament. His performance solidified Troy’s commanding lead.

Pitching Performance

Troy’s pitching staff delivered a strong performance, with left-hander Benjamin Stubbs leading the way. Stubbs pitched six innings, allowing only two runs on six hits and striking out five without issuing any walks. The bullpen maintained the pressure, with Zach Crotchfelt and Matt Dill combining for three scoreless innings to close out the game.

With this victory, Troy is just one win away from becoming the third Sun Belt team to reach the College World Series, following in the footsteps of 2000 Louisiana and 2025 Coastal Carolina. The second game of the series is scheduled for Saturday at 2 p.m. at Riddle-Pace Field and will be broadcast on ESPN2.

Original reporting: Alabama News Network — read the source article.