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Troup softball needed a bounce back win after losing to rival LaGrange last time out and got just that on Tuesday, beating Sandy Creek 12-0 on the road for an important region victory.

The Tigers took no time to get an early lead, scoring five runs in the top of the first to stun the Patriots. Kaitlyn Smalley broke the deadlock with a single that drove home Zoe Graham and the Tigers were off to the races from there. Gracie Baker hit an RBI single to double the Troup lead. A passed ball and an error allowed two more runs to score before Rachel Langford hit a single to drive home the final run of the inning.

The Tigers did not let Sandy Creek get back in the game by putting four more runs past the Patriots in the top of the second to take a commanding 9-0 lead. Baker started it off with a sacrifice fly. Cayleigh Godfrey hit a RBI single and Graham hit a two-run double to round out the scoring in the inning.

Troup tacked on a 10th run in the third inning courtesy of a Baker RBI single.

Seven of the team’s nine runs in the opening two innings came with two outs on the board as the Tigers came through in the clutch from the plate time and time again. 

The Tigers got two more runs on the board in the top of the fourth courtesy of a one-run triple from Kaylee Cardwell and a sacrifice fly from Olivia Damron.

Graham had a big day from the plate, going 3-for-3 with two RBIs and two runs scored. She was not alone as fellow junior Baker was 2-for3 with three RBIs. Smalley and Camdyn Bassett each had two hits for the Troup offense while Godfrey, Langford and Cardwell all had one each.

Kaylee Umfress got the start in the circle and was in command for all four innings, allowing just one hit on eight strikeouts.

Troup improved to 5-6 overall and 4-3 in region play. The Tigers will return to the diamond on Thursday on the road to Whitewater for another crucial region contest. Troup beat the Wildcats earlier this season at home on a Graham walk-off double in an instant classic of a game.