Alabama
No. 21 Troy falls to No. 22 Alabama in midweek matchup – The Troy Messenger
No. 21 Troy falls to No. 22 Alabama in midweek matchup
Published 9:21 am Wednesday, May 8, 2024
- Troy second baseman Peyton Watts tags out an Alabama runner. (Photo courtesy of Troy University Athletics)
The No. 21-ranked Troy Trojans dropped a nail biter to the No. 22-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide by a score of 7-6 at a packed Riddle-Pace Field in Troy on Tuesday.
The two sides slugged it out to a scoreless tie going into the third inning when Alabama managed to score three runs. The Crimson Tide added two more runs in the top of the fourth inning to go up 5-0. Troy then began its rally.
In the bottom of the fourth, Troy Scored its first run and then had a big four-run fifth inning to tie things up 5-5. Alabama added another run in the sixth and then another run in the top of the eighth to go up 7-5. In the bottom of the eighth Troy’s Mikey Bello came in to pinch hit and hit an RBI single into center field to drive home Aidan Gilroy to cut the lead to 7-6.
In the bottom of the ninth, facing one out, Will Butcher blasted a shot deep into center field that was snagged and then Troy runner Parker Sessions was tagged out as he tried to get back to first base to earn the third and deciding out for the Tide.
Despite the disappointing ending, Troy Coach Skylar Meade was happy with his team’s effort.
“Heck of a game and a heck of a crowd. That’s multiple times that we’ve been so close to beating ‘Bama,” Meade said. “The baseball Gods don’t reward you when you play the way we did in the first half. We just weren’t attacking the strike zone and weren’t disciplined enough to be rewarded.
“Alabama is an incredibly great team and when healthy, they are some of the best. They earned it. They were rewarded. We’re going to make every game a fight. This isn’t an anomaly. If you’ve watched 50 Troy baseball games, you know that’s what we do.”
Ethan Kavanagh led Troy at the plate, going 3-for-3 with two RBIs and two runs. Both Butcher and Gilroy hit doubles on the afternoon. Brooks Bryan also tied the single season Troy RBI record with his 81st RBI during the loss.
Connor Burt took the loss on the mound for Troy, giving up one hit and one earned run in one inning. Logan Ross got the start and struck out a pair of batters, while giving up one hit and two earned runs in two and 1/3 innings of work. Jay Dill struck out one and gave up three hits and two earned runs in two and 2/3 innings pitched. Michael Osmond also struck out two and gave up no hits or runs in one and 1/3 innings toeing the rubber.
Bryan wasn’t the only one to set a record against Alabama as Troy Baseball saw its attendance record broken with a crowd of 3,872 in attendance.
For Alabama, William Hamiter went 2-for-3 with a pair of home runs, two RBIs and three runs. Aidan Moza got the win on the mound, striking out three and giving up three this and two earned runs in three innings pitched.
Troy will look to regroup for the Trojans’ final road conference series of the season, as they travel to Texas State for a three-game series May 10-12.
PENSACOLA, Fla. — A 70-year-old Robertsdale, Alabama, man was found guilty by a federal jury in Pensacola after prosecutors said he tried to entice a child online and then traveled to meet the child for sex in Pensacola.
David A. Girard was convicted in federal court of attempted enticement of a minor, traveling in interstate commerce for the purpose of illicit sexual conduct, and committing a felony involving a minor while being a registered sex offender, according to the release.
The release states that Evidence at trial showed that in October 2025, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and other law enforcement partners conducted an undercover operation aimed at identifying people soliciting minors online for sex.
On Oct. 17, 2025, Girard began communicating with someone he believed was a 14-year-old child, according to trial evidence.
Prosecutors said he described sexual acts he wanted to perform and arranged a meeting location in Pensacola.
When Girard traveled to the agreed-upon location to meet the purported child, he was arrested, according to the release.
Electronic evidence seized under a search warrant confirmed Girard had communicated with the person he believed was a child and traveled to meet him, according to trial evidence.
Girard faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and up to life in prison on Count 1, and up to 30 years in prison on Count 2.
He also faces a mandatory 10-year prison term on Count 3, consecutive to any sentence imposed on Count 1.
The investigation involved the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, Florida Highway Patrol, and the U.S. Marshals Service.
DAUPHIN ISLAND, Ala. (WALA) – The Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo begins Friday morning on Dauphin Island, following a kickoff party Thursday night that featured the Captain T-Bone’s Liar’s Contest.
Rodeo contestants, their families and others attended the event, where participants competed to tell their best fish tales.
Cody Ward, vice president of publicity for the Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo, said the stories are always a highlight.
“I don’t like to speculate too much on the lies, there are a lot of them, they come and go, and they are great all the time,” Ward said. “Make sure you’re out here, check them out, support these people, they love to do this and we love to hear their fish tales.”
Mike Eubanks has been fishing in the rodeo since 1982. He’s been to the liars contest many times and says he’s heard some great ones over the years.
“They can come up with some good ones. I don’t know which one was the craziest but the winner every year deserves it I promise you. Those judges have a hard time because they are some good ones,” Eubanks said.
The rodeo gets underway Friday with a cannon blast at 5 a.m. and runs through the weekend.
Copyright 2026 WALA. All rights reserved.
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WAFF) – Soccer is rapidly growing in Alabama and there aren’t enough officials to accommodate.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup had an impact on the growth of the sport.
“Instead of the World Cup arriving in America, America has arrived at the World Cup,” AHSAA Soccer Officials Coordinator Cedric Thomas said. “Watch parties across the county has showcased how America has reacted to the beautiful game.”
The 2026 World Cup reminded fans within North Alabama how special the game of soccer is and the game is rapidly growing in the Valley.
“It’s larger than any football program,” Alabama State Youth Referee Administrator Thomas Russell said. “We have more recreational soccer players than all of football combined.”
The rapid growth has created issues across the state. The biggest issue is the lack of soccer officials in Alabama.
There are around 900 certified soccer referees in Alabama, but the state needs about 1,500 for all games at all levels to operate smoothly.
“You cannot have an official game without officials,” Thomas said. “You can see the impact on the kids faces when only one or two referees show up and you need a third to make it an official game.”
The impact goes beyond the whistle. Referees in soccer have the ability to teach young athletes during games.
“We don’t coach them in the game, but we can teach them what they can and can’t do,” Russell said. “You can see a good referee who works with the kids and interacts with the kids. One that doesn’t just call a foul and go away.”
Soccer is highlighted on all levels in Huntsville. From youth soccer to AHSAA Soccer State Championships and the Huntsville City Football Club.
“I would say that the Huntsville Sports Commission and the city has solidified whatever that vision they had for soccer.”
More officials are needed for the sport to grow in North Alabama and across the state.
To find out how to become an official:
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Copyright 2026 WAFF. All rights reserved.
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