TROY, Ala. (Interstat) — Gus Gandy’s two-run homer in the sixth inning broke open a tight game and a trio of Samford pitchers combined to stifle the Troy offense for eight innings as the Bulldogs defeated the Trojans 7-2 on Tuesday night at Riddle–Pace Field.

The victory improved Samford to 10-13 on the season, while Troy fell to 10-14, with both teams defying pregame projections that heavily favored the home team. Interstat’s game simulator had projected a Troy victory with a 5-4 final score and gave the Trojans a 61.5 percent probability to win.

The game’s decisive moment came in the top of the sixth with Samford clinging to a 2-0 lead. After a walk and a fielder’s choice, shortstop Gus Gandy stepped in against Troy reliever Noah Thigpen. Gandy connected on a pitch, driving it over the right field fence for his third home run of the season, a two-run shot that scored Kade Boykin from first base and extended the Bulldogs’ lead to 4-0.

That swing provided all the necessary cushion for Samford’s pitching staff. Starter Noah Berry set the tone, working 3 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing four hits and three walks while striking out two. He navigated traffic, stranding runners in scoring position in the second and fourth innings before handing the ball to Palmer O’Beirne with two on and one out in the fourth.

O’Beirne extinguished the threat by getting a foul out and a strikeout, then proceeded to throw 2 2/3 innings of scoreless, one-hit relief, striking out three. John Whitney followed with two perfect innings, striking out three of the six batters he faced to preserve the shutout into the ninth.

Samford built its early lead in the third inning without the benefit of a hard-hit ball. Garrett McDonald led off with a double. After a strikeout, Michael Harris reached on an infield single that scored McDonald from second when Troy left fielder Drew Nelson’s throw to the plate sailed wide, allowing Harris to take second. He later scored on an RBI single by Stephen Carr.

The Bulldogs added insurance in the eighth. They loaded the bases with one out via a walk, a hit-by-pitch, and another walk. Gandy, continuing his productive night, delivered an RBI single to left. A bases-loaded walk to McDonald forced in another run, making it 6-0. Samford’s final run came in the ninth on an RBI single by pinch-hitter Dutton.

Troy’s offense, which managed nine hits, was held in check until a frantic, last-ditch rally in the bottom of the ninth. Drew Nelson led off with a double and, with two outs, pinch-hitter Caden Reeves laced a two-run double to deep right field, scoring Nelson and Shane Markham to break up the shutout. Aaron Piasecki followed with a single to put the tying run on deck, but a mound visit settled Samford, and the next batter flied out to right to end the game.

Gandy finished 2-for-5 with three RBIs to lead Samford’s 10-hit attack. Piasecki was a bright spot for Troy, going 3-for-5 with a double. Troy starter Matt Dill took the loss, charged with two runs, one earned, over three innings.

Samford returns home to host Presbyterian in a three-game series starting Friday. Troy travels to face Florida A&M on Wednesday before a Sun Belt Conference series at Georgia Southern this weekend.