TROY, Alabama – Troy struck for four in the top of the first and never turned back en route to an 8-2 win over in-state rival Jacksonville State to sweep the season series with the Gamecocks Tuesday night at Riddle-Pace Field.
The Trojans' (30-14) early lead held steady thanks to the strong relief performance from Rush Hixon (3-2) on the mound. Hixon was outstanding through five scoreless innings of work, allowing just three base runners – two hits and a walk – with seven strikeouts.
Two of those four runs in the first came off the bat of Sadler Goodwin, who ripped a two-out, two-RBI triple – he finished 2-for-3 with a career-high three RBIs in the game.