Vicksburg’s Shane Lewis hits 2 Home Runs in win against No. 15 Mississippi State

STARKVILLE, Miss. – Vicksburg native Shane Lewis hit two home runs last night for Troy University, defeating No. 15 Mississippi State 6-5. Lewis went 2 for 4 at the plate with two RBIs.

Troy had gotten an early lead behind a pair of home runs from Shane Lewis, who began his career at Mississippi State during the 2021 season. Lewis crushed a solo shot to right field in the second inning and was the start of Troy’s 4-spot in the fifth, golfing a slider deep over the right field wall.

Lewis has now hit five home runs in the first eight games this season. He also has eight hits, 11 RBIs and a .308 batting average this year.

Meier followed with an RBI single later in the fifth, while Blake Cavill drew a walk with the bases loaded before Peyton Watts scored on a passed ball. 

Trojan starter Adam Falinski cruised through the first four innings of the ballgame and racked up six strikeouts. The senior got beat with an infield single to start the fifth before a hit batter and another single loaded the bases. The Trojans turned to Grayson Stewart, but a grand slam by Sullivan put four runs on the board for the Bulldogs before an RBI single by Ace Reese off Jay Dill in the sixth evened the game at five. 

Noah Thigen pitched a 1-2-3 seventh inning before turning it over to Gorgen with one out in the eighth. 

Quick Hitters

• The Trojans are 1-1 in games decided by one run this season. 
• The 6-5 victory was Troy’s first win over an SEC team since an 8-7 win at Auburn on April 25, 2023. 
• It was Troy’s first win over a ranked opponent since an 8-4 victory over No. 18 Louisiana on May 4, 2024. 
• It was Troy’s first-ever victory over Mississippi State. The Trojans are now 1-5 all-time against the Bulldogs.
• Troy hit three home runs as a team, its second three-homer game this season. 
• Steven Meier went 2-for-4 with a home run, two RBIs and a hit by pitch, extending his hitting streak to 11 games and on-base streak to 15 games dating back to last season.
• Meier’s go-ahead home run in the ninth inning was his first home run as a Trojan. He hit six home runs at Old Dominion last season.
• Blake Cavill drew a walk, extending his on-base streak to 15 games dating back to last season. 
• Shane Lewis hit two home runs. It was his second multi-homer game of the season and eighth of his career. He leads the team with five home runs this season.
• Mike Bello went 1-for-4, extending his hitting streak and on-base streak to six games. 
• Peyton Watts went 1-for-4, extending his hitting streak and on-base streak to five games. 
• Troy’s pitchers combined for 12 strikeouts, which is tied for the second-most this season. 
• Adam Falinski struck out six, his most as a member of the Trojans. 
• Freshman Noah Thigpen pitched 1.1 scoreless innings with two strikeouts. He lowered his season ERA to 2.08. 
• Grady Gorgen recorded the victory, his first this season and second of his career. 
• Gorgen is scoreless through three appearances this season.