Troy wins game one of DH, 9-0
February 23, 2008
Sophomore Tim Wheeler was the pitching star of game one of the doubleheader with Rhode Island as the Trojans won 9-0. Wheeler pitched six innings, striking out five. Eight of his outs were of the ground ball variety and he could have had a ninth if not for a throwing error. This is good for a guy that gave up 14 home runs last year.
“I felt real good,” Wheeler said. “I’m just glad the hitters came out and the defense played well.”
Junior Mike Powers struck out the side in one inning of relief. Freshman Drew Hull pitched the eighth and senior JJ Whetsel, making his return from missing last year because of arm surgery, pitched a 1-2-3 ninth.
Most of Wheeler’s home runs last year barely went over the fence on a short Riddle-Pace Field. Now with the renovations, it has been expanded and pitchers have more wiggle room.
“We realized that (short home runs) were going to go for both teams,” Wheeler said. “You can’t do much about that — when the wind’s blowing out, that’s going to happen.”
Sophomore DH Daryl Otwell went 3-for-4. Senior RF Bryan Miller drove in two runs. Junior 2B Trevor Tyre drove in three runs - two on a double in a five-run fourth inning.
The teams are playing Game 2 right now, with Troy holding a 1-0 lead in the third. I’ve got this game then men’s basketball tonight at 8 p.m. It’s the perfect day for me to be here all day since my wife was hosting a baby shower for one of her friends at our house
