Troy University Athletics
Trojans Add Youth, Heart for Success
1/20/2009 6:00:00 AM | Softball
TROY - A new year brings a new season and new opportunities, and that's exactly what the Troy Trojans softball team hopes to take advantage of this season.
"This team has great chemistry," Troy head coach Melanie Davis said. "They are a diverse group. They all love the game, and their work ethic is unbelievable."
The Trojans will need a strong work ethic as opponents become increasingly tougher each season.
The Trojans start the season off against a team that made it to the 2008 Women's College World Series in Virginia Tech.
"That will be a great challenge and a great opportunity to make an early statement," Davis said. "They are a great team, and opening against them in the Chattanooga tournament is a great opportunity."
Davis hopes that early and tough competition will prepare the team for what looks to be a very competitive conference schedule.
"All nine teams are quality teams," Davis said. “I think everybody in the league is going to be really strong."
"Florida Atlantic was very successful in the Atlantic Sun, and their coach does a great job with the program," Davis said. "They will be a force to be reckoned with."
The Trojans will host a series against FAU on April 4th and 5th.
"North Texas is hosting the conference tournament, and we play them on the road too," Davis said. "The road contests are always tough."
The Trojans travel to North Texas for a regular season series the weekend after the FAU home series on April 10-11. Troy will hopefully make a return trip to Denton for the Sun Belt Conference Championship from May 6-9.
"You can't forget about Louisiana Monroe," Davis said. "They finished up strong last year and shocked everyone by making it to the conference championship game. They had a very young team, and that young talent is going to be back this season."
The Trojans do have the luxury of hosting ULM in mid-March.
The final conference series of the season is one Davis feels will also be a very tough series.
"South Alabama has an excellent coach as well," Davis said. "The program has only been in existence for two years, and they were very frustrated about not making the conference tournament last season. There's no question in my mind that they have some great ball players down there, and they too will be another force to be reckoned with."
All in all Davis feels that this year's could be anyone's year in conference play.
"I think the league is going to be very balanced from top to bottom. There's just a lot of parody in the league, and anybody can knock off anybody through the season. It's going to be about who can step up day in and day out to get it done," Davis said.
The Trojans too have a predominantly young team that is looking to make noise in the Sun Belt Conference.
There are three seniors on this year's team, and Davis is looking to them to provide strong leadership. Heidi Johnson, Felicia Hammer and Alabama transfer Allison Moore make up the senior trio.
"I find it hard to believe that Heidi and Felicia are seniors," Davis said. "It seems like a short time ago they were here on their official visits and deciding to become Trojans for life. Heidi has had a tremendous career for us, and we're looking to her as a leader who of course loves the game and as a talented player who can do a lot of things for us in the field and at the plate. Felicia provides tremendous leadership for us behind the plate, and we're looking forward to her to do a great job as our number one catcher."
Moore, a two-way player, transferred to Troy from the University of Alabama following the 2008 season.
"She is a very talented hitter and pitcher," Davis said. "We're looking forward to her finishing her career in fine fashion as a Troy Trojan."
The Trojans will also bring back the Sun Belt freshman of the year in Ashlyn Williams. Williams led the Trojans on the mound last season, and Davis said two new additions to the pitching staff will help them tremendously this season.
Moore and a freshman from Australia, Monique Faul, will join Williams in handling the pitching duties.
The outfield looks to be very competitive in earning starting roles.
"Right now we're still trying to fully decide who will be where in the outfield," Davis said.
Heidi Johnson looks to be the leader in left field, and Kaitlin Kenney will most likely anchor the outfield in center. That leaves Ashley Adkins and incoming transfer Tasha Elmore left to battle for the right field slot. Elmore transferred in from Wallace Community College in Dothan, Ala. where she was an all-region player.
Rocky Paige will handle first base duties, and Hillary Hughes will be the face at second base. The shortstop position has been a battle for the starting role. Kala Moore, Sarah Shields and newcomer Jackie Di Siervi are battling for role of short stop.
"It's going to be great to see the battle at short shake out," Davis said.
Third base will feature another position battle between Katie Ely, Sarah Harris and another newcomer Nikki Hollett.
"Hollett's bat will most likely earn her a spot in the starting lineup," Davis said.
Davis is excited about the Trojans added depth.
"I think we have the chance to do some really big things if we can stay healthy and our kids continue to play with good chemistry," Davis said. "If they will work hard and put together the basics and solid fundamentals of the game we can be very successful."
The Trojan softball team opens its season on February 6 at the Chattanooga Challenge hosted by UT-Chattanooga. Their first home game is February 17 against in-state rival Auburn University. First pitch for the showdown with Auburn is set for 6 pm at the Troy Softball Complex.
