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2015 Baseball Preview: Outfield
2/10/2015 2:53:00 PM | Baseball
With the 2015 baseball season opening on Friday, TroyTrojans.com will take a position-by-position look at this year's team.
INFIELD/CATCHERSÂ | PITCHERS
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Troy will have plenty of outfield depth in 2015 as the team lost just 36 combined starts at the position from a year ago. Head coach Bobby Pierce says he is optimistic that the mixture of players in the outfield will yield positive results.
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What Pierce says: "We return a good mixture of returning players with experience, transfer players that should make an impact and young guys with bright futures. It will be interesting as we begin the year and settle in on things as to how the different parts are utilized to give us our best performance from a group of talented players."
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Left field: Jo-El Bennett returns as a senior and will be aiming for his breakout season. Bennett was named Louisville Slugger National Player of the Week after blasting three home runs in the series finale against Northern Kentucky. With last year's starter Trevin Hall moving to the infield, Cameron Sanders, a junior transfer from Southern Union where he batted over .320 in both seasons, will see some action in left and can also shift center if needed. His speed and left-handed bat are valuable assets on a right-handed heavy squad. Hoke Granger and Windham Jackson will also be in the mix for a corner outfield position. Granger, a transfer from the University of Mobile, has played both corner positions and has shown some power at the plate. Jackson played two seasons at Shelton State Community College where he was named All-ACCC North Division.
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Pierce on Jo-El: "Jo-El has worked really hard to improve his game. Now it's time for him to go trust that work and enjoy the competition."
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Center field: Fifth-year senior Clay Holcomb has stolen 47 bases and committed just three errors in his career. His experience and overall ability level gives the Trojans a valuable athlete who can take away hits as well as put pressure on opposing pitchers. Shaw Pinnell has shown a tremendous defensive skillset in the outfield after redshirting last season. Pinnell is improving at the plate and his "find-a-way" mentality has impressed the coaching staff. Marianna, Fla., product Reid Long originally signed as a left-handed pitcher but has turned in some good showings offensively from the left side of the plate.
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Pierce on Holcomb: "Clay can play all three outfield spots well and has been able to contribute throughout his career as a base stealer. His experience is going to be utilized in many different ways over the course of the season."
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Right field: David Hall served primarily as the Trojans designated hitter last season but has worked tirelessly to overcome his 2013 foot injury and become more active defensively. Hall enters his senior season as Troy's most valuable returning offensive asset after batting .355 with nine home runs and 48 RBIs – all were team highs – earning him second team All-Sun Belt honors in 2014. Logan Hill will compete for a middle-of-the-lineup spot. The Jeff Davis Community College transfer batted .420 with eight home runs and 40 RBIs last season.
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Pierce on Hill: "Logan looks to be ready to contribute in the middle of the lineup at this level. He's worked really hard on his game and will certainly be in our outfield plans."
INFIELD/CATCHERSÂ | PITCHERS
Â
Troy will have plenty of outfield depth in 2015 as the team lost just 36 combined starts at the position from a year ago. Head coach Bobby Pierce says he is optimistic that the mixture of players in the outfield will yield positive results.
Â
What Pierce says: "We return a good mixture of returning players with experience, transfer players that should make an impact and young guys with bright futures. It will be interesting as we begin the year and settle in on things as to how the different parts are utilized to give us our best performance from a group of talented players."
Â
Left field: Jo-El Bennett returns as a senior and will be aiming for his breakout season. Bennett was named Louisville Slugger National Player of the Week after blasting three home runs in the series finale against Northern Kentucky. With last year's starter Trevin Hall moving to the infield, Cameron Sanders, a junior transfer from Southern Union where he batted over .320 in both seasons, will see some action in left and can also shift center if needed. His speed and left-handed bat are valuable assets on a right-handed heavy squad. Hoke Granger and Windham Jackson will also be in the mix for a corner outfield position. Granger, a transfer from the University of Mobile, has played both corner positions and has shown some power at the plate. Jackson played two seasons at Shelton State Community College where he was named All-ACCC North Division.
Â
Pierce on Jo-El: "Jo-El has worked really hard to improve his game. Now it's time for him to go trust that work and enjoy the competition."
Â
Center field: Fifth-year senior Clay Holcomb has stolen 47 bases and committed just three errors in his career. His experience and overall ability level gives the Trojans a valuable athlete who can take away hits as well as put pressure on opposing pitchers. Shaw Pinnell has shown a tremendous defensive skillset in the outfield after redshirting last season. Pinnell is improving at the plate and his "find-a-way" mentality has impressed the coaching staff. Marianna, Fla., product Reid Long originally signed as a left-handed pitcher but has turned in some good showings offensively from the left side of the plate.
Â
Pierce on Holcomb: "Clay can play all three outfield spots well and has been able to contribute throughout his career as a base stealer. His experience is going to be utilized in many different ways over the course of the season."
Â
Right field: David Hall served primarily as the Trojans designated hitter last season but has worked tirelessly to overcome his 2013 foot injury and become more active defensively. Hall enters his senior season as Troy's most valuable returning offensive asset after batting .355 with nine home runs and 48 RBIs – all were team highs – earning him second team All-Sun Belt honors in 2014. Logan Hill will compete for a middle-of-the-lineup spot. The Jeff Davis Community College transfer batted .420 with eight home runs and 40 RBIs last season.
Â
Pierce on Hill: "Logan looks to be ready to contribute in the middle of the lineup at this level. He's worked really hard on his game and will certainly be in our outfield plans."
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