Smalley pitches complete game shutout, Tigers cruise to region win
Published 10:11 pm Tuesday, September 12, 2023
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Troup needed a win on Tuesday and Troup got a coveted region victory by beating Starr’s Mill 8-0 on the Tigers home turf.
It was cruise control from the offset for the Tigers in large part to a five-run first inning and a dominant complete game showing on the mound for Kaitlyn Smalley.
Smalley has been quite the surprise in her sophomore season after not playing for the Tigers as a freshman. She was lights out on Tuesday, allowing just two hits on seven strikeouts in her six innings of work on the mound.
Not content with her role on the mound, she aided her cause with a one-run single to put the Tigers up 3-0 in the first inning.
The first inning was enough for the Tigers even though they tacked on some runs late. Sehnyiah Philpot got the scoring started with a one-run double and the Tigers were off and running from there.
Madeira Sirmons hit a sac fly to make it 2-0. Troup showed some good two-out hitt with Smalley bringing in a run along with a Zoe Graham single that drove in the final two runs of the inning.
Graham, a sophomore, had her most complete game on offense as a Tiger, going 3-for-3 with two RBIs.
The game stayed locked at 5-0 until the Tigers eventually added to their lead when Gracie Baker delivered a one-run single.
Troup eventually ended the game by run rule in the sixth inning when Philpot scored on a passed ball and Patience Watkins hit a one-run single.
Watkins, a senior, delivered a big offensive performance, going 2-for-3 with two runs scored. Philpot and Camdyn Bassett also had two hits each. Haley Kitchens, Madeira Sirmons, Baker and Smalley all had a hit apiece.
Troup is now back to .500 (6-6) on the season. The team is also .500 (3-3) in region play and will have a colossal region clash at rivals LaGrange on Thursday.