Feb. 20, 2004

Box Score

TROY, Ala. - The Samford University baseball team opened the 2004 season with a heart-breaking, 2-1 loss at in-state rival Troy State Friday night at Riddle Pace Field.

Troy State (1-0) jumped on top early with a run in the bottom of the first inning to take a quick 1-0 lead. Wade Miller singled to center field to bring in Chase Amis to give the Trojans the lead.

The two teams went scoreless as Troy State held on to its 1-0 lead for the next six and a half innings until Samford (0-1) tied the game with a run in the top of the eighth inning. After Matt Alling reached base on a single, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt and went to third on a passed ball, Eric Hollis singled to center field to bring Alling home to tie the game.

Troy State answered in the bottom of the eighth inning with what would prove to be the winning run. Adam Godwin hit a sacrifice fly to right field to score Brad Sheffield with the winning run.

Samford was led at the plate by Hollis, who was 1-for-4 with an RBI and Michael Collins, going 1-for-4 with a double on the night.

Samford's Stephen Artz started the game and pitched 7.2 innings, giving up just one earned run on five hits to take the loss.

Troy State's Nate Moore pitched the final 3.0 innings, surrendering a run on three hits to pick up the win for the Trojans.

The two teams will play again on Saturday, with the first pitch scheduled for 1:00 p.m. The series will conclude with a game on Sunday, also scheduled for 1:00 p.m.