Box Score BY: Reshawn Garnett VSU Sports Information Intern
Trojans open up the season series against Bowie State with back to back wins in a double header Saturday, March 23rd. Jessica Mattia led her Trojans to a monstrous 9-1 victory in game one, while  Cameryn Smith set VSU up for a 11-6 win in game two with a two run homer. 

Jessica Mattia had the Bulldog's number in game one of two on Saturday.  Mattia pitched a perfect five innings and her confidence in her arm was absolute in game one. The Trojan's Ace sat down eight and gave up a miniscule two hits; both hits came in the sixth inning. Jessica's out field was as confident as she was recording one error after the first seven innings of the game. 

VSU's offense started hot and finished strong. Jamilia Smith earned the Trojans their first score of the game when she batted in LaCara Hawkes to put VSU up early, 1-0.  The Trojans had a very productive second inning, VSU recorded three runs, giving the Trojans a 4-0 lead.  LaCara Hawkes had a key at bat in the second. Hawkes tripled to left field bringing in Jessica Mattia and Verlisha Brandon. LaCara recorded three RBI's in game one.

 After being held scoreless for the first five innings, the Bulldogs began to show signs of life at the top of the sixth.   Mattia and her defense dug deep holding them to just one run and two hits. VSU's offense would rally once more for the final inning of game one. The Trojans pulled together and tacked on another big inning. VSU recorded five runs to send the Bulldogs packing for good, final score being 9-1.

Game two was a tight one. The top of the first was a nail biter for the Trojan's defense. Inez Hudson found herself in a rough spot. The bases were loaded with no outs early in the top of the first. However, Hudson would not be fazed. Inez escaped unscathed leaving three batters on, recording 2 strikeouts and a ground out to third base.
Hudson was the first Trojan to reach base. A sacrifice bunt by LaCara Hawkes would put Inez in scoring position. Jamilia Smith would record a RBI bringing home Inez Hudson and sparking a Trojan rally. VSU loaded the bases and produced a big first Inning, recording three runs on three hits, giving VSU a 3-0 lead after one inning of play. The Trojans would tack on one more run in the second inning expanding their lead to 4-0.
 
Inez found herself in an even tighter spot at the top of the fourth. After loading the base once more, Head coach Leshley  decided to go with Scherrie Smith in hopes of keeping a Trojan lead alive.  Inez pitched four innings and giving up only two runs after seven hits.  Unfortunately the Trojans would give up five runs after a Bowie hit that opened up the flood gates, giving BSU a 5-4 advantage after four innings of softball.  Not to worry though, the Trojans offense would respond quickly and efficiently. Scherrie Smith brought Sade Holmes home on a bunt tying the game 5-5 in the fourth inning. In the following inning  Verlisha Brandon put the Trojans back on top bringing home  Cameryn Smith  for a RBI and the lead, 6-5. Catlin Underhill then batted in a single to right field scoring Dominique Johnson, expand the lead to 7-5 after 5 innings.  The Trojans finally put the bulldogs away at the bottom of the sixth inning. The Trojans tacked on four runs in the sixth inning giving them a 11-5 advantage heading into the final inning of play. The Highlight play of the game two was a two run homer by Cameryn Smith. Smith's homer was the dagger as the Trojans beat BSU 11-6. With this win the Trojans improve to 7-11 overall.