Troy Takes Game One From Cajuns, 6-2

Preseason Sun Belt Pitcher of the Year Andrew Crane pitched a complete game five hitter and Matt Sanders went 4-4 with three runs scored as Troy defeated the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns 6-2 in the first game of their three game Sun Belt Conference series at M. L. "Tigue" Moore Field at Russo Park Friday night.

Crane (3-2) allowed single runs in the second and fourth innings in going the distance in a 91 pitch performance.  He walked two and struck out five and faced just one batter over the minimum after the fourth inning.

Nick Lee (1-2) took the loss for the Cajuns (9-12, 1-3 Sun Belt), allowing four runs, three earned in 4.1 innings of work.  He walked five and struck out four.

"Nick was fighting himself tonight," head coach Tony Robichaux said.  "We gave them a lot of free stuff and free stuff leads to runs.  When you struggled to score runs like we do, you can't give free bases."  The Cajuns' pitching staff walked seven batters and hit two in the game.

Louisiana took a 1-0 lead in the second inning when Hayden Cantrelle drew a one out walk and scored on Tyler Stover's two out single to left.  But Troy (15-7, 2-2) came right back in their half of the third when Manning Early led off with a walk.  Sanders singled and the runners moved up on an error.  Lee got the next two hitters on called third strikes, but Cole Prestegard singled home both runners to give the Trojans a 3-2 lead.

Kennon Fontenot's solo homer in the fourth tied the game, but Troy chased Lee inthe fifth when Sanders singled and stole second and came home on Joey Denison's double.  Prestegard greeted reliever Brock Batty with a single to score Denison and give Troy an 4-2 lead. The Trojans scored two insurance runs in the eighth on a sacrifice fly by Denison and a bases loaded walk.

Game two of the series is Saturday afternoon at 2:00 pm.  Free t-shirts will be given out to the first 1,500 fans in attendance and the 1978 Cajuns' team,. the first to play in the ball park, will be recognized.