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The Troup baseball team hit the road once again on Thursday, traveling to Valley (AL) for their sixth straight road game to open the season. The Tigers came out on the wrong side of a pitcher’s duel, falling 3-2 to the Valley Rams.

Both teams had a no-hitter going through three innings, but it was Valley who broke the deadlock first. The Rams got a single to start the inning and a stand-up triple by Auburn signee Jackson Sanders two batters later made it 1-0. Valley added another run in the inning to take a 2-0 advantage heading to the fifth inning. 

Sanders got the start on the mound for the Rams and Troup had a hard time making contact with his pitches, but the second he left the mound, the Tigers began to find more success from the plate. 

Troup eventually got on the board when Fisher Batlzell hit a one-run double in the bottom of the fifth inning. Freshman Davis Moncus then proceeded to hit a triple that brought home Baltzell. Despite having a runner on third base with just one out, the Tigers could not capitalize and take the lead. 

The Rams were eventually able to recapture the lead with a run in the bottom of the sixth, leaving Troup with just three outs to make something happen.

The Tigers got a couple of runners on in the top of the seventh, but could not find the tying run.

Baltzell led the offensive charge for Troup, going 2-for-3 with a run scored and an RBI. Moncus and Garrison Edwards each had a hit in the game.

Troup had just four hits and the Rams had just three as pitching and defense ruled the day.

Jake Perry got the start on the mound for Troup, putting in a good five innings of work, striking out six and only allowing three hits. Tripp Cummings pitched an inning in relief, striking out one and not allowing a hit.

That is now two 3-2 losses in as many days for the Tigers, who fall to 2-4  on the season. Troup will be back in action on Saturday, traveling to Russell County for a doubleheader.