Troy University Athletics
Troy Baseball Set to Begin Fall Practice
10/4/2017 9:54:00 AM | Baseball
2017 Fall Schedule
TROY, Alabama – The Troy baseball team will begin preparing for the 2018 season with the start of fall scrimmages Friday at Riddle-Pace Field.
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The Trojans will play 22 intrasquad games, with three "World Series" games to wrap up fall practice in November.
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Troy is coming off a 31-25 (16-14 in Sun Belt) 2017 season that included a win over every Division I school in Alabama and individuals receiving numerous national and league awards.
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The squad was led by Andrew Crane and Brandon Lockridge, who were both selected as First Team All-Sun Belt players and are both returning for the 2018 season. Crane also was named the Sun Belt Newcomer of the Year.
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Crane set a new school and conference record throwing 40 consecutive scoreless innings on the mound. He finished the season ranking fourth in the nation and first in the Sun Belt in earned run average (1.47) and 22nd in the country in WHIP (0.96).
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Lockridge led the league in hits per game (1.48) and ranked second in hits, with 83 on the season. He also held the fifth-best batting average in the conference at .344.
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The Trojans lost a few key players from last year's team, including three starters from the end of last season – Trevor Davis, Justin Friend and Steven Whitaker, as well as starting pitcher Austin Crook and school-saves leader Marc Skinner.
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QUOTABLE
"Our fall program is structured as close as possible to the spring with scrimmage games each weekend and at least once during the week," Troy head coach Mark Smartt said. "Returning players understand that routine and know what to expect. First year players can get acclimated to that routine and continue to prepare for their 2018 season.
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Overall, I expect this group of players to improve each day and learn what is required to compete together as a team. Finally, our staff will become more familiar with the strengths of our team and the overall depth of our program. Although championships are won in May, I truly believe the foundation for success of any team is laid during October and November. I am excited to see this team begin."
NOTABLE
• Eight different Trojans were named all-stars in their respective summer leagues – compared to only three last year.
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• Incoming junior Sadler Goodwin won the Florida Collegiate Summer Baseball League MVP and was named an FCL top prospect.
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• Catcher Chase Smartt was awarded with the Florida League Sportsmanship Award for the 2017 season.
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• Overall this summer, Troy sent 14 players to compete on seven different clubs in five summer leagues across the country.
TROY, Alabama – The Troy baseball team will begin preparing for the 2018 season with the start of fall scrimmages Friday at Riddle-Pace Field.
Â
The Trojans will play 22 intrasquad games, with three "World Series" games to wrap up fall practice in November.
Â
Troy is coming off a 31-25 (16-14 in Sun Belt) 2017 season that included a win over every Division I school in Alabama and individuals receiving numerous national and league awards.
Â
The squad was led by Andrew Crane and Brandon Lockridge, who were both selected as First Team All-Sun Belt players and are both returning for the 2018 season. Crane also was named the Sun Belt Newcomer of the Year.
Â
Crane set a new school and conference record throwing 40 consecutive scoreless innings on the mound. He finished the season ranking fourth in the nation and first in the Sun Belt in earned run average (1.47) and 22nd in the country in WHIP (0.96).
Â
Lockridge led the league in hits per game (1.48) and ranked second in hits, with 83 on the season. He also held the fifth-best batting average in the conference at .344.
Â
The Trojans lost a few key players from last year's team, including three starters from the end of last season – Trevor Davis, Justin Friend and Steven Whitaker, as well as starting pitcher Austin Crook and school-saves leader Marc Skinner.
Â
QUOTABLE
"Our fall program is structured as close as possible to the spring with scrimmage games each weekend and at least once during the week," Troy head coach Mark Smartt said. "Returning players understand that routine and know what to expect. First year players can get acclimated to that routine and continue to prepare for their 2018 season.
Â
Overall, I expect this group of players to improve each day and learn what is required to compete together as a team. Finally, our staff will become more familiar with the strengths of our team and the overall depth of our program. Although championships are won in May, I truly believe the foundation for success of any team is laid during October and November. I am excited to see this team begin."
NOTABLE
• Eight different Trojans were named all-stars in their respective summer leagues – compared to only three last year.
Â
• Incoming junior Sadler Goodwin won the Florida Collegiate Summer Baseball League MVP and was named an FCL top prospect.
Â
• Catcher Chase Smartt was awarded with the Florida League Sportsmanship Award for the 2017 season.
Â
• Overall this summer, Troy sent 14 players to compete on seven different clubs in five summer leagues across the country.
Players Mentioned
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