Sunday in the Sun Belt
If Troy wasn't the team to beat before the weekend started, they certainly are now.
The Trojans (30-10. 14--4) completed a three game sweep over Western Kentucky, winning a 12-9 slugfest. Shortstop Adam Bryant's three run double in the bottom of the eighth was the big blow as the Trojans opened up a three game lead in the Sun Belt Conference over second place Florida Atlantic.
FIU also got a sweep over the weekend by hammering Arkansas-Little Rock 17-7 on Sunday. The Panthers (25-16, 10-8) blistered Trojans pitching for 20 hits in gaining the road sweep. UALR is now 16-23, 6-12 in the league. FIU scored 38 runs on 51 hits in the series.
Eric Gilley allowed just three hits over eight innings as Middle Tennessee (15-26, 7-11) won their series against ULM with a 6-2 win. The Warhawks, who are slated to host the Sun Belt Tournament in May, dropped into a tie for ninth place at 20-19, 6-12.
Arkansas State slowed down Florida Atlantic on Sunday, beating the Owls 7-3 to win their series. the Red Wolves improved to 19-24 on the year, 7-11 in SBC play. FAU dropped three games behind league leader Troy at 24-16, 11-7.
The standings at the end of the weekend:
Troy 14-4
FAU 11-7
UL 10-8
WKU 10-8
FIU 10-8
USA 9-9
ASU 7-11
MTSU 7-11
UALR 6-12
ULM 6-12
The top eight teams qualify for the conference tournament in Monroe.