Troy University Athletics
Troy Baseball Announces 2015 Recruiting Class
11/20/2014 4:34:00 PM | Baseball
TROY, Alabama - Troy University baseball head coach Bobby Pierce is preparing for his 13th and final season in the Trojan dugout in February. Before he begins his final season, Pierce announced ten players have signed scholarships and will join the Troy program next fall.
Assistant coach Mark Smartt was selected in August to replace Pierce and will be responsible for leading the program and working with this new group of players.
"The decision by our administration to announce that Coach Smartt will take over next year played a significant role in securing this year's impressive class," Pierce stated. "Several of them had committed prior to the announcement and I'm proud to say each of them was excited and maintained their commitment to our program and university."
Seven of the signees are high school seniors while three will transfer from the junior college ranks. The full recruiting class consists of three pitchers, all from high school, and seven position players.
"Our current roster has several senior position players but a core group of underclassmen pitchers so that is why there is a higher number of hitters", Pierce explained. "Coach Smartt has been responsible for recruiting in our program the last 12 years and has put together quality rosters each year. This year is no different with the talented group of players in this class."
The three pitchers are all from the state of Alabama. They include right-hander Cory Gill (6-2 190) from Cottonwood High School, right-hander Zack Lightsey (6-2 180) from Childersburg High School and left-hander Scott Stough (6-3 185) from Geneva High School.
The seven hitters include four high school seniors from Alabama, Florida and Tennessee. The junior college transfers include two Georgia natives and one from Alabama.
High school signees include infielder Drew Frederic (5-11 185 R/R) from Niceville, Florida, infielder Brandon Lockridge (6-2 185 R/R) from Pensacola, Florida, outfielder Hunter Mercer (5-11 190 R/R) from Hixson, Tennessee and catcher and local product Chase Smartt (5-10 180 R/R) from Charles Henderson High School in Troy.
Junior college transfers include outfielder Trevor Davis (6-1 185 R/R) from Gulf Coast State College and Fort Mitchell, Alabama, first baseman Justin Friend (6-3 240 L/R) from Calhoun Community College and Johns Creek, Georgia, and outfielder Steven Whitaker (5-11 175 L/R) from Georgia Perimeter College and Alpharetta, Georgia.
Pierce has seen recruiting change dramatically over his 33-year career as a coach and believes that it offers more challenges than in years past.
"Recruiting is more competitive today than at any point in my career. The number of tournaments and showcase events for today's player is at an all-time high," he said.
"Players are being evaluated at younger ages and scholarship offers are made sooner than ever before. National and state player rankings are available with the click of a button so everyone is aware of the best players in the region. I remember when seniors didn't sign a scholarship until June or July after their high school career had ended. Looking forward, I cannot imagine what the future of recruiting will look like, but one thing is certain; I'll be keeping a close eye on my grandson, Park's recruiting class of 2032."
For more information on Troy baseball, visit TroyTrojans.com or follow the team on Twitter at @TroyTrojansBSB.
Assistant coach Mark Smartt was selected in August to replace Pierce and will be responsible for leading the program and working with this new group of players.
"The decision by our administration to announce that Coach Smartt will take over next year played a significant role in securing this year's impressive class," Pierce stated. "Several of them had committed prior to the announcement and I'm proud to say each of them was excited and maintained their commitment to our program and university."
Seven of the signees are high school seniors while three will transfer from the junior college ranks. The full recruiting class consists of three pitchers, all from high school, and seven position players.
"Our current roster has several senior position players but a core group of underclassmen pitchers so that is why there is a higher number of hitters", Pierce explained. "Coach Smartt has been responsible for recruiting in our program the last 12 years and has put together quality rosters each year. This year is no different with the talented group of players in this class."
The three pitchers are all from the state of Alabama. They include right-hander Cory Gill (6-2 190) from Cottonwood High School, right-hander Zack Lightsey (6-2 180) from Childersburg High School and left-hander Scott Stough (6-3 185) from Geneva High School.
The seven hitters include four high school seniors from Alabama, Florida and Tennessee. The junior college transfers include two Georgia natives and one from Alabama.
High school signees include infielder Drew Frederic (5-11 185 R/R) from Niceville, Florida, infielder Brandon Lockridge (6-2 185 R/R) from Pensacola, Florida, outfielder Hunter Mercer (5-11 190 R/R) from Hixson, Tennessee and catcher and local product Chase Smartt (5-10 180 R/R) from Charles Henderson High School in Troy.
Junior college transfers include outfielder Trevor Davis (6-1 185 R/R) from Gulf Coast State College and Fort Mitchell, Alabama, first baseman Justin Friend (6-3 240 L/R) from Calhoun Community College and Johns Creek, Georgia, and outfielder Steven Whitaker (5-11 175 L/R) from Georgia Perimeter College and Alpharetta, Georgia.
Pierce has seen recruiting change dramatically over his 33-year career as a coach and believes that it offers more challenges than in years past.
"Recruiting is more competitive today than at any point in my career. The number of tournaments and showcase events for today's player is at an all-time high," he said.
"Players are being evaluated at younger ages and scholarship offers are made sooner than ever before. National and state player rankings are available with the click of a button so everyone is aware of the best players in the region. I remember when seniors didn't sign a scholarship until June or July after their high school career had ended. Looking forward, I cannot imagine what the future of recruiting will look like, but one thing is certain; I'll be keeping a close eye on my grandson, Park's recruiting class of 2032."
For more information on Troy baseball, visit TroyTrojans.com or follow the team on Twitter at @TroyTrojansBSB.
Skylar Meade SBC Tournament Postgame - Southern Miss
Saturday, May 23
Skylar Meade, Blake Cavill & Zach Crotchfelt SBC Tournament Postgame - South Alabama
Thursday, May 21
Skylar Meade Postgame - ULM Game 2
Friday, May 15
Skylar Meade & Steven Meier Postgame - UAB
Tuesday, May 12