Troy University Athletics
Fall Ball Preview: Troy Set to Open Fall Practice
10/10/2019 1:19:00 PM | Baseball
Troy, Ala. – The long wait is finally over as Troy baseball returns to Riddle-Pace Field this weekend. The Trojans will play three scrimmages throughout the weekend with the first taking place Friday at 6 p.m.
Troy will play 22 inter-squad scrimmages throughout the fall, culminating with five turf series games November 12, 14, 15, 16 and 17. The Trojans will also play two scrimmages against outside competition on Oct. 18 (at Alabama State) and Oct. 27 (vs. UAH).
"The primary goal for this fall is to learn as much as possible about each player in a competitive setting," head coach Mark Smartt said. "The second goal is always to try to develop some level of team chemistry and commitment to the program. Now is the time to figure out how we work together as a team."
Troy returns the experience necessary to take a step up from the 2019 season following a 31-29 year. The Trojans will initially look to three-year starter Drew Frederic and two-year starter Rigsby Mosley to lead the way but find themselves in a unique position heading into the fall.
"It's possible that our opening day lineup could be completed with all returning players," Smartt said. "That's rare when you have a returning player that could be playing at every position on the field. All the positions are available though, and we have some exciting young players that could challenge for some of those spots."
Troy returns several key contributors to the lineup including Dalton Sinquefield, Logan Cerny, Reed Smith and Hunter Mercer. Austin Garofalo will make the move to third base while Caleb Bartolero will look to take over the primary role at catcher.
"It's a great place to start when you have that many people who have played in a number of games," Smartt said. "They should be the drivers of the ball club in terms of being prepared and making things happen."
Trojan fans can expect to see added depth on the mound with two of three weekend starters returning for the 2020 season in Levi Thomas and Cory Gill who combined for 25 starts last season.
"I'm excited about the possibility of having some depth in our starting rotation this season," Smartt said. "With two back and two or three others knocking on that door, I think we can have some depth we haven't had in a while."
All events at Riddle-Pace Field are free admission. All times are approximate and subject to change.
2019 Fall Schedule (times subject to change)
Fri., Oct. 11 6 p.m.
Sat., Oct. 12 Noon
Sun., Oct. 13 1 p.m.
Tues., Oct. 15 6 p.m.
Fri., Oct. 18 5 p.m. at Alabama State
Sat., Oct. 19 Noon
Sun., Oct. 20 1 p.m.
Tues., Oct. 22 6 p.m.
Fri., Oct. 25 6 p.m.
Sat., Oct. 26 Noon
Sun., Oct. 27 2 p.m. vs. UAH
Tues., Oct. 29 6 p.m.
Fri., Nov. 1 6 p.m.
Sat., Nov. 2 Noon
Sun., Nov. 3 1 p.m.
Tues., Nov. 5 6 p.m.
Thurs., Nov. 7 6 p.m.
Fri., Nov. 8 6 p.m.
Sun., Nov. 10 1 p.m.
Tues., Nov. 12 6 p.m. Turf Series Game 1
Thurs., Nov. 14 6 p.m. Turf Series Game 2
Fri., Nov. 15 6 p.m. Turf Series Game 3
Sat., Nov. 16 Noon Turf Series Game 4
Sun., Nov. 17 1 p.m. Turf Series Game 5
Troy will play 22 inter-squad scrimmages throughout the fall, culminating with five turf series games November 12, 14, 15, 16 and 17. The Trojans will also play two scrimmages against outside competition on Oct. 18 (at Alabama State) and Oct. 27 (vs. UAH).
"The primary goal for this fall is to learn as much as possible about each player in a competitive setting," head coach Mark Smartt said. "The second goal is always to try to develop some level of team chemistry and commitment to the program. Now is the time to figure out how we work together as a team."
Troy returns the experience necessary to take a step up from the 2019 season following a 31-29 year. The Trojans will initially look to three-year starter Drew Frederic and two-year starter Rigsby Mosley to lead the way but find themselves in a unique position heading into the fall.
"It's possible that our opening day lineup could be completed with all returning players," Smartt said. "That's rare when you have a returning player that could be playing at every position on the field. All the positions are available though, and we have some exciting young players that could challenge for some of those spots."
Troy returns several key contributors to the lineup including Dalton Sinquefield, Logan Cerny, Reed Smith and Hunter Mercer. Austin Garofalo will make the move to third base while Caleb Bartolero will look to take over the primary role at catcher.
"It's a great place to start when you have that many people who have played in a number of games," Smartt said. "They should be the drivers of the ball club in terms of being prepared and making things happen."
Trojan fans can expect to see added depth on the mound with two of three weekend starters returning for the 2020 season in Levi Thomas and Cory Gill who combined for 25 starts last season.
"I'm excited about the possibility of having some depth in our starting rotation this season," Smartt said. "With two back and two or three others knocking on that door, I think we can have some depth we haven't had in a while."
All events at Riddle-Pace Field are free admission. All times are approximate and subject to change.
2019 Fall Schedule (times subject to change)
Fri., Oct. 11 6 p.m.
Sat., Oct. 12 Noon
Sun., Oct. 13 1 p.m.
Tues., Oct. 15 6 p.m.
Fri., Oct. 18 5 p.m. at Alabama State
Sat., Oct. 19 Noon
Sun., Oct. 20 1 p.m.
Tues., Oct. 22 6 p.m.
Fri., Oct. 25 6 p.m.
Sat., Oct. 26 Noon
Sun., Oct. 27 2 p.m. vs. UAH
Tues., Oct. 29 6 p.m.
Fri., Nov. 1 6 p.m.
Sat., Nov. 2 Noon
Sun., Nov. 3 1 p.m.
Tues., Nov. 5 6 p.m.
Thurs., Nov. 7 6 p.m.
Fri., Nov. 8 6 p.m.
Sun., Nov. 10 1 p.m.
Tues., Nov. 12 6 p.m. Turf Series Game 1
Thurs., Nov. 14 6 p.m. Turf Series Game 2
Fri., Nov. 15 6 p.m. Turf Series Game 3
Sat., Nov. 16 Noon Turf Series Game 4
Sun., Nov. 17 1 p.m. Turf Series Game 5
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