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The Troy softball team picked up a huge win over Southern Miss in Sun Belt Conference action on Sunday. The Trojans erupted for 10 runs in their last two at-bats.
Ella Cunningham kickstarted the offensive explosion with a three-run bomb in the bottom of the fifth inning. It was a moment of redemption after being the subject of body shaming.
Her dad responded to the trash talk on social media, as did a Troy softball coach. A line was crossed in both of their eyes.
Troy softball player was targeted.
Ella Cunningham is one of the Trojans’ top players. The sophomore pitcher is 6-2 on the mound with a save. She’s also hitting .344 at the dish.
The left-hander had five home runs to her name upon entering Game 3 of her most recent series with Southern Miss. She’d add a sixth in a clutch moment.
She can’t hear you 🤫#E³ | #OneTROY ⚔️🥎 pic.twitter.com/iLTgtTy6li
— Troy Softball (@TroyTrojansSB) March 29, 2026
With two outs, two runners on, and her team trailing 2-0, she blasted a no-doubter to deep centerfield. The homer opened the floodgates for the Troy offense.
They’d add seven more runs in the next frame to win, 10-2.
After the game, Cunningham’s dad, Matt, took to social media with a message. He was unhappy with criticism directed at his daughter throughout the series.
When absolutely classless softball players, fans and coaches @SouthernMissSB continually chant that your daughter is “obese” all weekend she responds with game. Softball comes and goes, being bad humans doesn’t. Keep it softball aluminum chickens! https://t.co/WWqpr2uVsH
— MattCunninghamTNrealto (@MattCTNRealtor) March 29, 2026
An assistant coach, Elizabeth Hightower, echoed that sentiment with a lengthy post of her own.
“For years, so many in sports have fought to earn women a real seat at the table, to be invested in, respected, and taken seriously. That fight has always been rooted in the belief that women’s bodies are capable and deserving of every opportunity.
“That’s why what was said this weekend felt so disappointing. Instead of moving things forward, it set women in sports back and what made it even harder to hear was that it felt like the call was coming from within the house. We can be better and continue the fight that women before us have paved.
“Women in sports should be a source of strength and inspiration, uplifting the game rather than tearing it down. There’s no place for body shaming in athletics, respect and empowerment should always come first.”
The response from the Southern Miss side was disappointing. Ella Cunningham got the last laugh. With the win, Troy improved to 22-12 on the season.