Troy University Athletics
Softball Opening Day A Week Away
2/5/2010 4:00:00 PM | Softball
With opening day at the Trojan Softball Complex just seven days away, here is a sneak peak into the 2010 Trojan softball team. Also, the 2010 roster, schedule and media guide can all be found at the links above.
The 2010 edition of the Trojan softball team will be hoping that its fifth season in the Sun Belt will prove to be the one that gets them over the hump.
In their first season of Sun Belt play in 2006, the Trojans finished the regular season in fourth place. The Trojans saw themselves climb one spot to third in both 2007 and 2008.
Troy gained another spot last season when they finished second, but they will be looking for a conference title in 2010.
The Trojans return two All-Sun Belt and All-Region players for the 2010 season in senior shortstop, Kala Moore and junior pitcher Ashlyn Williams.
THE PITCHERS
Williams will anchor the Trojans pitching staff, one season after breaking the school record with 312 strikeouts in 2009. She will be the only pitcher with Division I experience.
"Ashlyn continues to develop her finesse and her pitches continue to look better and better and she's in great physical condition," head coach said Melanie Davis.
Williams will be joined by junior college transfer Haley Hutchins and a freshman from Sydney, Australia, Sally Ward.
"I'm really pleased with how far Haley has come throughout the fall under to tutelage of Coach O'Mara," Davis said. "Haley throws the ball really hard but is working extremely hard to increase her movement."
"Sally has a lot of experience on the mound and it's great to bring in a player who will definitely be in the lineup with her bat and can help out our pitching staff," Davis said.
THE CATCHERS
The Trojans will be looking to fill the void left by the departure of Felicia Hammer behind the plate. Hammer was a four-year starter for the Trojans, but a newcomer in Belinda White is a more than respectable replacement.
"I feel extremely fortunate to have a player of her caliber," Davis said. "Her skills are technically sound and she's a natural leader."
White will be backed up by true freshman Josie Cox.
THE MIDDLE INFIELD
Anchoring the infield will be the speedy Moore at shortstop. She offers great range on defense, plus she led the Sun Belt with 32 stolen bases from her leadoff position in the order.
"She looks good at the plate with her slap game," Davis said. "With her speed and range, if we can keep her healthy, Kala can elevate her game to among the highest level in the conference and the country."
Joining Moore in the middle will be returning second baseman sophomore, Sarah Shields. Shields offers solid contact for the Trojans lineup. She will probably find herself in the ninth hole, but could also see time as the Trojans No. 2 hitter.
"Shields has worked very hard to increase her quickness and she looks much more comfortable there than she ever did last year," Davis said.
Behind Shields at second base will be two new faces in junior college transfer Kortney Cooper and true freshman Callie Rawlinson.
THE CORNERS
At first base will be Troy's only other senior, Rocky Paige. She has been a true utility player for the Trojans throughout her career. Paige has seen time at third base, first base and in the circle for Troy in her three years. However, this fall she has focused primarily on first base.
"Rocky has always done a great job wherever she has been on the field for us," Davis said. "And there is no question that she will provide a solid brick wall for us at first base."
Paige's backup will be a sophomore from Melbourne, Australia, Nikki Hollett. Hollett will primarily be featured as the Trojans' designated player as her bat can not be ignored. Hollett seems to be Troy's biggest home run threat in 2010. She hit as many home runs in 2009 as all of the other returners combined.
The only infield position that will see a new face in 2010 will be third base. True freshman Courtney Cherry will enter the season as the Trojans primary third baseman. Cherry offers greats quickness and good hands, two tools necessary to play the hot corner.
"Cherry works extremely hard and she's going to get dirty the first time a ball is hit at her outside of her range," Davis said. "It's always great to have a player with that kind of heart."
Cherry will be pushed throughout the season by two players that have seen plenty of time at third base in the last two seasons in Sarah Harris and Katie Ely.
THE OUTFIELD
The outfield will feature a four player rotation for the Trojans.
The one constant will be in right field where sophomore Hayden Gann will patrol. Gann brings solid power numbers as well as the ability to be a good contact hitter.
"She worked very hard during the summer at her outfield play and she really does a good job of getting rid of the ball and covering right field," Davis said.
Left field and center field will be manned by three players. The Trojans most experienced outfielder is Kaitlin Kenney. She will find herself in center when Sally Ward is in left field.
"Kaitlin has been working hard on every aspect of her game, and it is great to have an outfielder who is as comfortable playing more than one position as she is," Davis said.
"Sally brings a solid bat and extensive play on the international scene" Davis said.
However, Sally Ward will also pitch for the Trojans. When she is in the circle, Kenney will move to left field and true freshman Marcy Sartain will occupy center field
"Marcy is very versatile, she was a high school shortstop but she is getting better and better at playing the outfield," Davis said. "She has a strong arm and she is also working very hard to master her slap game."
The Trojans fifth outfielder will be junior Ashley Adkins.
"Ashley probably has one of the strongest and most technically sound throws of any one on the team, and she is working to hit on both sides of the plate to give her more opportunities to contribute offensively."
THE SCHEDULE
The 2010 schedule looks to be a very challenging one for the Trojans.
The season will open on the weekend of February 12-13 with a home series against Evansville.
"Evansville has been a strong program historically and their going to represent a good challenge," Davis said. "It's not often that you get a chance to open up at home so we're really excited about that weekend."
Troy will participate in four tournaments in the first month of the season. Those include the UCF Invitational in Orlando, Fla., the Magic City Classic hosted by Samford in Birmingham, Ala., the Bulldog Classic hosted by Mississippi State and the Pepsi Malihini Kipa Aloha Tournament hosted by Hawaii.
Troy will also travel for mid-week contests against in-state SEC opponents in Alabama and Auburn.
"Anytime you can play an SEC school you want to do that," Davis said. "It gives you a chance to face some high quality pitching and that helps a lot when in comes to conference play."
Troy will host Sun Belt series against Middle Tennessee, FIU, North Texas and perennial front-runner Louisiana-Lafayette. They will also host a single game with South Alabama.
Road Sun Belt contests include series at ULM, WKU, Florida Atlantic and a doubleheader at South Alabama.
The Sun Belt Championships will be hosted by South Alabama in Mobile, Ala., this season. Troy will look to qualify for the tournament for the fifth consecutive season.
The Trojans have a good balance of returning experience and fresh faces in new places as they enter a new season. They are hoping that all the pieces of the puzzle can come together and that Troy can leave its mark on the Sun Belt in 2010.
The Trojans will get things started when they host Evansville at 3:00 p.m. on Friday February 12 at the Trojan Softball Complex. Admission to all home softball games is FREE.
