Super Bowl Update

Troy vs. ULM. Not really as sunny as it seems in this picture, but good enough to play.

So I'm sitting here for a couple of games at Troy's Riddle-Pace Field. Good time to update.

In the bottom of the 8th, Troy holds a 5-1 lead. It was 1-1 in the bottom of the seventh before Jakob Nixon singled in a run. Now in the 8th, Troy's Boone Shear broke it open with a 3-run homer, giving Troy a 5-1 lead.

Troy has really found itself over the last three weeks and is now playing like a team that has its roles defined and can beat anyone in the conference. There were injuries, ineligibility, ineffectiveness but it's turned into improvement and a more enthused dugout and a team that's now finding ways to win.

Will update more as the day goes along.

5:15 p.m. FINAL - Troy wins the first game 5-1. Game 2 should start around 6 p.m., which is the time today's game would have started anyway without the rain problems.

6:22 p.m. - Third inning, and it's 0-0. I'm currently swamped and surrounded by fans, not seeking my autograph but because they can't handle the rain. Ryan Brady is off to a good start on the mound for the Trojans. Large contingent of ULM fans here, which is odd because it's a long trip from Monroe. Much more visiting fans from there than I've seen from other schools.

6:40 p.m. - Troy leads 1-0 in the fourth. Trojans loaded the bases with no outs, but just got a run.

7:04 p.m. - Bottom 6, Troy still up 1-0. Ryan Brady, who couldn't get out of the first inning last week, has given up just three hits through six. Austin and Hill both threw 25 or fewer pitches in the first game, so they'll be ready for this one if called on. It's raining harder than it was before but I'm not swallowed in by a bunch of fans at this point.

7:21 p.m. - BOT 7, Mathis reached on a walk. Pinch runner Knowles bunted to 2nd by Harrell. ULM tied it in the 7th on a leadoff walk, stolen base, groundout and sac fly to right. Third out came on a triple off the wall and Edwards thrown out in a rundown at home. ULM fans around me weren't happy with coach originally sending him then telling him to get back when it was too late, or something.

Covering up the mound.

7:43 p.m. - As fast as everything was moving, some hard rain comes and the umpires called a delay. No lightning, so I think we'll be back on soon. Headed to the bottom of the 8th, Troy has 1-2-3 due up and they're now taking this tarp off. Score tied 1-1.