Trojans Close Home Stand Against UALR

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After getting a week away from game action, the Troy Trojans will return to the diamond at Riddle-Pace Field this weekend for a three-game Sun Belt Conference series against Arkansas-Little Rock.

The Trojans have not played since taking a series from South Alabama last weekend, and the time off from games has given the team an opportunity to get a lot of work done.

“We have spent a lot of time with guys individually, time that we normally don't get to spend with mid-week games and weekend games,” Trojans coach Bobby Pierce said. “This week, without a mid-week game, gave us an extra practice day. We've tried to utilize that to get some things done on offense. I am excited and pleased about some of the progress we have made.”

Much of the work has gone toward finding a solution in the outfield where the Trojans have employed 11 different outfield combinations in 20 games this year. Among the seven players in the outfield mix, only freshman Ali Knowles has been swinging a hot bat, hitting .455 on the year.

As a group, the outfielders are hitting just .274 on the year with 20 extra-base hits and 29 RBI with 51 strikeouts.

“It is funny because, over the last couple of weeks, we have been trying to pull names out of a hat just to see if we can get some production from guys on a given day,” Pierce said. “Based on what I have seen this week, it may be pulling names out of a hat because they have all been making progress and have been looking good doing what they are doing. That is a good problem to have.

“I am proud of them. They are all important to me and to the program and they all want to play. We'll figure out how to give several guys an opportunity out there and then we will run with the hot bat.”

The Trojans will also be making a chance in their weekend pitching rotation for the series against UALR. Junior Tyler Ray (4-0, 1.82) will be back in his Friday night role after getting hit on the leg last week, and senior Drew Hull (3-0, 1.80) will be back after taking last weekend off with a slight back strain.

The change comes in the third spot where freshman left-hander Jimmy Hodgskin (1-1, 2.59) steps up and sophomore left-hander Ryan Sorce (2-2, 4.55) makes a move to the bull pen.

“I think Tyler is going to be fine,” Pierce said. Hopefully it is not going to be a situation where it bothers. That has certainly not been the case with the progress he has made this week. Drew has thrown a bull pen and a little bit live. He feels great, but the concern is whether or not his timing is where it should be during his outing.

Pierce said the change in the third rotation spot came about at the request of Sorce, who wanted to make a move to the bull pen, at least on a temporary basis.

“Ryan has been so good early in his starts, but has run into trouble in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings,” Pierce said. “He wanted to make a move to the bull pen for a weekend or two to figure some things out and get some rest. I think this will be good for him and that he will be good in this role. Jimmy has been throwing well enough for us to give Ryan the opportunity to get into the pen and try to go from there.”

The think that Pierce said he hopes doesn't change is the support the Trojans have received this year from the fans in the community. Troy currently ranks 38th in the nation in average attendance and 29th in total home attendance this year, and the big crowds have had a positive effect on the team.

“The great crowds inspire our players and they inspire me,” Pierce said. “This is the first year I can remember that I can hear the crowd. You try to block it out, but you can't because they are too loud. You hear them and know they are there supporting the team, and the players can feel that as well.

“It means the world. The atmosphere at Riddle-Pace has been great. I know that our crowds have been as good or better than they have ever been and it means the world to all of us. For the fans to come out and show appreciation to the players for the work they have been putting in, means the world to them.”

The Troy fans will have three chances this weekend to help the Trojans. Game times for the series with UALR are set for 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 1 p.m. on Sunday.

Ray will be opposed by senior right-hander Garret Graziano (2-3, 4.94) in the opener. Another senior right-hander, Travis Henke (1-0, 1.44) will face off against Hull on Saturday night. UALR will send another senior right-hander, Calvin Drinnen (2-1, 3.12), to the mound on Sunday to face Hodgskin.

“I think it is big for us to be focused this weekend, to be ready and prepared to face a scrappy Little Rock team,” Pierce said. “They are going to play hard so we going to have to continue what we have been doing with our pitching and defending well. Hopefully the work we put in this week will result in some better things with the bat.”

Pierce said UALR, which is 10-10 overall and 2-1 in the Sun Belt, has made great strides in just two seasons under coach Scott Norwood, and he expects the hard-fought series.

“They have been continually getting better with the things they do,” Pierce said. “They hit and run a lot and try to play for one run early. The do that because they have three seniors starting on the mound. They are very experienced and are throwing the ball well. They are trying to manufacture and score a couple of runs here and there to give themselves a chance to win a series. I expect a dogfight, just like we get every weekend in this league.”

All three games of the series with UALR will be broadcast on the Troy Sports Network with Barry McKnight and Jerry Miller calling the action. The games can also be seen online through Trojans All Access on TroyTrojans.com.

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