Troy University Athletics
Precise Leads Four Onto All-Conference Team
5/20/2009 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
TROY, Ala. ? Troy University placed four players on the annual All-Sun Belt Conference team, the league announced on Tuesday night at the annual Family Night event prior to the league tournament.
The group includes senior Michael Precise, juniors Ryan Ditthardt and Chris Sorce and freshman Tyler Ray.
“I couldn't be any prouder for those players, who have been recognized by the other coaches in this league for their performance on the field this year,” Troy coach Bobby Pierce said. “All four of them have had very good years this year, and the best thing is knowing that three of the four will be returning to our program next year.”
Precise. A senior from Geneva, Ala., was the only Trojan to earn first team All-Conference honors, earned a spot on the team as a utility player. Precise, who has played both outfield and designated hitter this year, enters the Sun Belt Tournament with a .320 batting average and leads the club with 17 doubles.
The Trojans placed two players on the second team All-Conference squad. Ditthardt a junior first baseman from Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., and junior closer Chris Sorce from Pace, Fla., were tabbed to the second team.
Ditthardt is hitting .324 on the year with seven home runs and a team-high 53 RBI. He leads the club with 70 hits and 104 total bases on the year.
Sorce has a 2-0 record in 23 relief appearances this year and leads the team with a 2.61 ERA. He is second on the club with five saves after taking over the close role late in the year. He has posted 53 strikeouts in just 38 innings of work and has held opposing hitters to a .232 batting average.
Ray, a right-handed pitcher from Hoover, Ala., was honored as the league's Freshman of the Year. Ray has been the Trojans' Friday night starting pitcher for most of the season and is tied for the league lead with five conference victories.
Ray has posted an overall record of 7-3 in 13 starts this season. He has a 4.37 ERA, tops among the team's weekend starters, and leads the club with 56 strikeouts in a team-high 82.3 innings of work.
The Trojans will open play in the Sun Belt Conference Tournament, which is being played at Riddle-Pace Field, on Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m. against South Alabama.
2009 All-Sun Belt Conference Baseball First Team
SP Kenneth Roberts Middle Tennessee
SP Matt Hightower WKU
RP Coty Woods, Middle Tennessee
C David Doss, South Alabama
1B Mike Martinez, FIU
2B Ryan Mollica, FIU
SS Ben Soignier, ULM
3B Wade Gaynor, WKU
OF Tyler Townsend, FIU
OF Bryce Brentz, Middle Tennessee
OF Chad Cregar, WKU
DH Tim Jobe, FIU
UT Michael Precise, Troy
2009 All-Sun Belt Conference Baseball Second Team
SP Tom Ebert, FIU
SP Matt Ridings, WKU
RP Chris Sorce, Troy
C Drew Robertson, Middle Tennessee
1B Ryan Ditthardt, Troy
2B Boomer Blanchard, ULM
SS Terrence Dayleg, WKU
3B Rawley Bishop, Middle Tennessee
OF Jon Prevost, ULM
OF Nathan Hines, Middle Tennessee
OF Adam Heisler, South Alabama
DH Scott Hawkins, Louisiana-Lafayette
UT Murray Watts, Arkansas State
| Player of the Year | Bryce Brentz, Middle Tennessee |
| Pitcher of the Year | Matt Hightower, WKU |
| Freshman of the Year | Tyler Ray, Troy |
| Newcomer of the Year | Boomer Blanchard, ULM |
| Coach of the Year | Chris Finwood, WKU |
