Contributed
(March 14, 2010)

Troy junior Chase Whitley did all that he could do to help the Trojans win on Saturday evening, but one pitch spoiled all of his hard work as Florida Atlantic took a 5-4 victory over Troy in 11 innings.

That one pitch was his first in the deciding 11th inning against reigning Sun Belt and Louisville Slugger national player of the week Nick Delguidice, who blasted it over the wall in left for the winning run.

FAU improved to 8-4 overall and 2-0 in Sun Belt play with the win while dropping the Trojans to 5-7 overall and 0-2 in the league.

“It was a game where opportunities abounded,” Trojans coach Bobby Pierce said. “We had the same problem tonight where we couldn’t hit a pitch in the strikezone. That may come from trying too hard, but there are no excuses. We have to find ways to score runs other than on the home run.”

The one mistake on the mound for Whitley (0-1) overshadowed a four-hit performance that included a triple and a homer. He also worked 4.1 innings of relief on the mound, allowing just the one run on three hits while striking out four.

FAU’s Andy Mee (1-0) earned the victory in relief for the Owls, despite having blown the save in the ninth inning when he surrendered a leadoff homer to Adam Bryant. Mee, also had two hits and an RBI in the game to go with his 3.1 innings on the mound where he allowed one run on three hits and struck out five.

Trojans softball earns third seed in Hawaii tourney

HONOLULU, Hawaii - The Troy Trojans softball team defeated Loyola Marymount in their first game of the day, 10-2 to earn the three seed entering the playoffs at the Pepsi Malihini Kipa Aloha Tournament.  In their semifinal the Trojans fell to second seed Hawaii, 7-3.

Kala Moore led the Trojans at the plate on the day, going a combined 6-for-8 with two runs scored and two RBI.  Ashlyn Williams threw two complete games and struck out a total 21 batters.

Troy hoops to learn NIT opponent on Sunday

The Troy men’s basketball will find out its first round NIT opponent on Sunday night on ESPNU.

The team earned a guaranteed bid into the National Invitational Tournament with its first-ever Sun Belt regular season title.

Beginning at 8 pm central time, ESPNU will air the 2010 NIT Selection Show. During that broadcast the Trojans will learn whom they will face on either Tuesday, March 16 or Wednesday, March 17.

The Trojans are currently projected by NITology.com to meet UAB in a rematch and by the NIT Bracket Project to face Ole Miss.