MACON, Ga. -- The Morehead State Softball Eagles got three hits out of freshman Sela Pickford Sunday, but Troy put three innings of 3-plus runs on the board in a 12-3 loss for MSU to conclude the Mercer Bear Invitational.
Among her three hits, Pickford had two doubles and an RBI to lead the Eagles. Freshman Kendra Lewis was 1-for-2 with a walk and an RBI. MSU managed seven hits off a trio of Trojan pitchers. Haley Pittman went the longest, 4.0 innings, with six strikeouts to earn the win.
Freshman Addie Stem (2-4) started and took the loss in the circle for Morehead State (4-6). She pitched 5.1 innings, allowing nine hits and eight runs (five earned). Jessie Begley allowed the other four runs in 1.2 innings in the circle.
Amazingly, Troy used 18 different players in the field or at the plate. Cassidy Boltz and D'Aun Riggs had two hits each, part of a 13-hit effort for the team from the Sun Belt Conference.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Morehead State started its scoring early again, plating two runs off of Troy pitching, one of which was driven in on a run-scoring double off the bat of Pickford. Darlene Montoya singled home Pickford the second tally.
Troy then homered three times, including a solo shot in the second inning and a two and three-run homer in the third for a five-run inning.
Morehead State scored a run in the sixth when Lewis drew a walk that scored Pickford.
"We had a better outing today offensively against them," said head coach Megan Griffith."We've got to clean up some of our defense and get that firing on all cylinders again. We had some growing moments and are looking forward to getting back to work at practice."
GAME NOTES
» Pickford led the Eagles, picking up a career-high three base knocks in the ballgame.
» Morehead State's power output was led by Pickford, who had two extra base hits in the ballgame.
» Morehead State's highest scoring inning was the first, when it pushed two runs across.
» Morehead State turned four double plays in the ballgame.
» Eagle pitchers faced 38 Troy hitters in the game, allowing eight ground balls and six fly balls while striking out three.
» The Eagles drew four walks from Troy pitching.
UP NEXT
MSU is idle until its home opener, on March 6, with a doubleheader versus Bowling Green.
