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.