Troy University Athletics
Players Mentioned
Troy Baseball Set to Open Fall Practice
9/26/2014 10:18:00 AM | Baseball
TROY, Alabama – The Troy University baseball team will open fall practice on Saturday at Riddle-Pace Field to begin preparations for the 2015 season.
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Troy head coach Bobby Pierce says he always looks forward to fall practice and it gives him an opportunity to see the team as a whole for the first time.
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"It's always an exciting time," Pierce said. "You're able to get the whole team together and more importantly get the everyone on the same page."
The Trojans return 16 lettermen including Sun Belt Conference Freshman of the Year Marc Skinner as well as second-team All-Sun Belt selection David Hall. Troy finished with a 25-32 record last season.
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Skinner finished the 2014 season with a 6-1 record, five saves, and 70 strikeouts in 65 innings as Troy's closer. The Phenix City native was named NCBWA and Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American.
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Hall led the Trojans with a .344 average, nine home runs and 48 RBIs. The rising senior started the 2014 season by reaching base in his first 14 plate appearances and 16 of his first 18.
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Troy will look to replace starters Shane McCain and Tanner Hicks. McCain was a two-time All-Sun Belt selection and finished his career with 273 strikeouts, second most in Troy history. He also became the first Trojan pitcher to record 100 strikeouts in back-to-back seasons.
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16 new faces will open practice in a Troy uniform including Chipola College transfer and MLB-draftee Tucker Simpson. The 6-6, 235-pound right-handed pitcher started his career at the University of Florida before opting for junior college. Simpson was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the 39th round of the most recent MLB draft but chose the Trojans over starting his professional career.
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The team will complete a series of intrasquad scrimmages before taking on the Ontario Blue Jays, a high-level, high school summer baseball program, on October 19 at noon. The Ontario Blue Jays compete in the Premier Baseball League of Ontario (PBLO).
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Troy head coach Bobby Pierce says he always looks forward to fall practice and it gives him an opportunity to see the team as a whole for the first time.
Â
"It's always an exciting time," Pierce said. "You're able to get the whole team together and more importantly get the everyone on the same page."
The Trojans return 16 lettermen including Sun Belt Conference Freshman of the Year Marc Skinner as well as second-team All-Sun Belt selection David Hall. Troy finished with a 25-32 record last season.
Â
Skinner finished the 2014 season with a 6-1 record, five saves, and 70 strikeouts in 65 innings as Troy's closer. The Phenix City native was named NCBWA and Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American.
Â
Hall led the Trojans with a .344 average, nine home runs and 48 RBIs. The rising senior started the 2014 season by reaching base in his first 14 plate appearances and 16 of his first 18.
Â
Troy will look to replace starters Shane McCain and Tanner Hicks. McCain was a two-time All-Sun Belt selection and finished his career with 273 strikeouts, second most in Troy history. He also became the first Trojan pitcher to record 100 strikeouts in back-to-back seasons.
Â
16 new faces will open practice in a Troy uniform including Chipola College transfer and MLB-draftee Tucker Simpson. The 6-6, 235-pound right-handed pitcher started his career at the University of Florida before opting for junior college. Simpson was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the 39th round of the most recent MLB draft but chose the Trojans over starting his professional career.
Â
The team will complete a series of intrasquad scrimmages before taking on the Ontario Blue Jays, a high-level, high school summer baseball program, on October 19 at noon. The Ontario Blue Jays compete in the Premier Baseball League of Ontario (PBLO).
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