How bout them Tigers? The Troup softball team beat one of the top-10 teams in 3A, Whitewater, for the second time this season to earn the sweep. The Tigers brought their A-game on Thursday night and trumped the Wildcats 9-6.

Troup took no time to take the lead, scoring a run in the top of the first courtesy of an RBI groundout from Kaitlyn Smalley. 

The Tigers would eventually add to their lead with three runs in the top of the third inning.

Troup would not be done there, tacking on three more runs in the top of the fifth inning to push the lead out to 7-0. Olivia Damron drove in the first run of the inning with a double followed by Camdyn Bassett scoring on defensive indifference. Gracie Baker drove in the final run of the inning on a double.

The Tigers were not done there, stretching their lead out to 9-0 with two runs in the top of the sixth inning. Sheniyah Philpot and Damron each had an RBI single in the inning.

The Wildcats would not go quietly into the night and scored five runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to make the game interesting. 

Whitewater was able to get another run in the seventh to cut Troup’s lead to just three runs.

Philpot led the offense by going 3-for-4 with three runs scored. Zoe Graham and Damron had two hits each while Smalley, Bassett and Baker all had one apiece.

Smalley started in the circle and pitched a strong five innings in which she allowed just five hits and three earned runs on four strikeouts. Kaylee Umfress replaced her and pitched the final two innings, slamming the door on the Wildcat rally.

Troup improved to 6-6 on the season and 5-3 in region play. The Tigers will play in a tournament over the weekend starting on Saturday.