Troy Baseball Sets for a Big Series Against South Alabama
TROY, Ala. – Troy Baseball is gearing up for an exciting final home series at Riddle-Pace Field, facing South Alabama this weekend.
Currently, the Trojans sit in fifth place in the Sun Belt standings with a 13-11 record. They have a chance to improve as they close in on the end of the season. South Alabama is just ahead with a record of 14-10.
The Trojans are riding a high after a decisive 6-1 victory over No. 17 Alabama. This win brought in a record crowd of 3,982 fans. Troy struggled early, managing just one hit through six innings. But they turned it around, scoring six runs in the last two frames, aided by Aaron Piasecki’s crucial two-run double.
On the pitching side, Troy used five different players in a successful bullpen strategy against Alabama. Cooper Ellingworth, Zach Crotchfelt, Dylan Alonso, Matt Dill, and Noah Thigpen combined to allow just one run while striking out 11 batters. Dill secured the win, and Thigpen clinched his first save of the season.
This weekend, Troy will bring back the same pitching lineup for the third week in a row. Senior Benjamin Stubbs has consistently gone deep into games, pitching over six innings in seven of his twelve starts. Tommy Egan, another senior, has tallied an impressive 78 strikeouts—the fourth-most in the Sun Belt. Hayden Smith, with a 3.03 ERA, will take the mound for the final game.
South Alabama will counter with five-year pitcher Mitchell Heer, who boasts a 4.45 ERA. Game two starter Ryland Bozenhard has faced struggles with a 6.07 ERA, while Daniel Gonzalez, another transfer, offers a solid 3.84 ERA.
Offensively, both teams are closely matched. Troy’s batting average is .278, slightly trailing South Alabama’s .283. Brennon Wright and Stewart Puckett are standout players for the Jaguars, while Blake Guerin leads his team with 14 home runs.
A Closer Look at Troy’s Performance
Troy’s recent win over Alabama is particularly noteworthy. It was their first victory against the Crimson Tide since 2019. They’ve also taken down notable teams like No. 8 Georgia this season, marking a successful turnaround. Historically, these victories highlight the Trojans’ competitive edge, as they haven’t defeated two SEC opponents in one season since 2017.
This season, Troy’s offense has shined in conference play, ranking second in various categories, including batting average and home runs. Aaron Piasecki, who excels at home with a remarkable .422 average, has proven to be a key player. During last week’s game, he hit a two-run double that changed the game’s momentum.
Jimmy Janicki is on fire, too, currently riding a 15-game hitting streak—one of the longest in the Sun Belt. He not only has a batting average of .431 during this period but has also powered in 26 RBIs.
As the series approaches, the stakes are evident. South Alabama leads their all-time matchup with Troy, but the Trojans have had success at home. Last season, they claimed victory in their series against the Jaguars, showcasing their ability to compete fiercely.
This weekend promises to be thrilling, not just for the teams involved but also for the fans who have shown unwavering support. Both teams will be looking to secure victories that could impact their standings and momentum as they head into the final stretch of the season.
