BOONE, N.C. – Despite a valiant effort from
Caleb Cross out of the bullpen, Friday, the Mountaineers were unable to overcome an early deficit, falling 9-2 to the Trojans at Smith Stadium.
Cross took over for
Eli Ellington in the second inning, and went on to work 5.2 innings in relief, stifling the Trojan hitters, and keeping App State in the ballgame. Cross retired the first eight hitters he faced, and enjoyed a second streak of eight in a row retired, later in the contest. He finished with a career-high five strikeouts, allowing just one run on one hit in the longest outing of his career.
Troy (31-22, 15-14) struck for three runs in the first inning, as they opened the ballgame with three consecutive base hits. They added three more in the second, highlighted by a William Sullivan two-run double to make it 6-0.
The Mountaineers (18-32, 9-20) chipped away in the middle innings, scoring for the first time in the fifth. Troy starter Brady Fuller saw the strike zone elude him that inning, leading to four walks in the frame, with a free pass to
Andrew Terrell forcing
Phillip Cole home from third. However, the Mountaineers were unable to do any further damage, stranding the bases loaded.
App State struck again in the sixth, using back-to-back doubles from
Andrew Greckel and
Hayden Cross to plate a second run and make it a 6-2 ballgame.
Troy pulled away with a three-run eighth inning, helped by a two-run double from Kyle Mock.
Dalton Williams did limit the damage, throwing out a runner at the plate from left field to complete a double play. The Mountaineers defense also ended the top of the ninth on a line drive double play.
The Mountaineers close the regular season Saturday with a 1 p.m. finale against the Trojans. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+. The 2022 App State baseball season is presented by Chick-fil-A.
