Troy Baseball Inks Eight on Signing Day

TROY, Ala. – Troy University head baseball coach Mark Smartt announced eight players who signed with the Trojans in this week's early signing period. Each of them will enroll in August 2020 and begin their playing careers in the 2021 baseball season.

The signing class includes five high school seniors and three junior college transfers from Alabama, Georgia and Florida – Tekoah Roby, Garrett Gainous, Seth Johnson, Beau Fletcher, Grayson Stewart, Jerry Bowman, Dominick Miller and Kyle Gamble.

The incoming class includes seven pitchers and one position player. The four high school pitchers - Roby, Gainous, Fletcher and Stewart – all offer characteristics required to have success at the college level.

"The one intangible that is required to win is competitiveness," Smartt said. "We believe these four young pitchers present the level of competitiveness that will allow them to succeed early in their careers. The ability to throw strikes with more than one pitch is also a positive in each of these young guys."

All three junior college pitchers should provide an impact quickly. Bowman, a Smiths Station High School graduate, will complete his sophomore season at Wallace Hanceville. Miller will transfer to Troy from Pensacola State while Gamble will complete his sophomore season at Polk State College before moving to Troy.

"We have had several junior college pitchers have success in our program over the years and we have high expectations these three will follow that same path," Smartt said.

Johnson, an outfielder, is the lone position player in this early signing period and should provide impact with the bat early in his career. Standing at 6-6, Johnson moves well in the outfield and has the bat speed and leverage to hit for power with his frame.

Troy opens its season February 14 with a four-game series against Northern Kentucky.

Quotable – Troy head coach Mark Smartt
"The focus on pitching in this class is obvious, but necessary with a large group of senior pitchers on our 2020 team. Losing so much experience on the mound will be a challenge to replace but this group is talented and diverse which gives us reason to be optimistic about the future.

Shane Gierke and Matt Hancock have worked extremely hard to identify players that present strong baseball ability and a solid academic background to have success at Troy. I am confident this group of players will offer a positive impact on our program am convinced this group will be solid contributors on the field, but most importantly, represent Troy University and the baseball program with distinction."

Tekoah Roby
RHP | 6'2 | 190
Pensacola, Fla. / Pine Forest HS

2019 Selected to the East Coast Pro Showcase
2019 Pensacola News Journal Player of the Year
Perfect Game Top 50 Players in the Country
2019 1^st Team All-State

"Tekoah is someone we targeted early in the recruiting process two years ago and is one of the top pitcher's in the country. He might be the most decorated pitcher to sign at Troy. We really like what he presents on the mound. Tekoah has the ability to throw three pitches for strikes with power which will allow him to compete right away at the Division I level."

Garrett Gainous
RHP | 6'4 | 195
Cairo, Ga. / Cairo HS

2019 Selected to the East Coast Pro Showcase
2019 Selected as one of Georgia's top 20 juniors to represent Team Georgia in Oklahoma's Sunbelt Baseball Classic
2019 GHSA 4A Region Player of the Year
2019 PG Preseason Underclassmen All American Team

"Garrett was an early commitment two years ago and has developed into quality all-around player. He has continued to improve every year and has been an impact on every team throughout his high school career. The accolades he has earned throughout his career speak to his success on the field. We are excited about Garrett's future and what he will bring to the program"

Seth Johnson
OF | 6-6 | 200
Wetumpka, Ala. / Wetumpka HS

2019 Wetumpka High School Most Valuable Hitter
2019 Elmore County Player of the Year
2019 Montgomery All Metro Team
2019 North-South All-Star Game Selection
2019 ABCA Team Alabama Selection

"Seth is someone we targeted early this past summer. His ability with the bat is something that stood out to us immediately. His size and power separate him from most his age. Seth's dedication and want to be a Trojan is something that will be valuable in his future at Troy."

Beau Fletcher
RHP | 6'0 | 195
Hartselle, Ala. / Hartselle HS

2019 Class 5A-7A All-Area First Team
2019 All-Tennessee Valley Second Team
2019 Rawlings PG Preseason Underclassmen All American Team
2019 WWBA 18U National Championship All-Tournament Team
2018 Rawlings PG Preseason Underclassmen All American Team
2017 Rawlings PG Preseason Underclassmen All American Team
2017 WWBA 16U National Championship All-Tournament Team

"Beau emerged two years ago in our recruiting process. What stood out is his ability to throw strikes at a high rate with an above average fastball. He has great feel for a slider and his competitiveness is something that translates well into what we are building here on the mound. Beau is a winner and will impact our roster early in his career."

Grayson Stewart
RHP | 5'11 | 180
Dothan, Ala. / Providence Christian

3A Alabama State Championship MVP
ALL Sports Writers 3A Player of the Year
ALL Sports Writers 3A Pitcher of the Year
Dothan Eagle's SUPER 12
3a Alabama 1st Team All-State Pitcher
ALL Super All-State
North/South High School All-Star Game
Max Preps Small School 2nd Team All-American

"Grayson has good feel with all of his pitches and has been a winner throughout his high school career, which should translate well here at Troy. We are excited about what Grayson brings to the program."

Jerry Dale Bowman
RHP | 6'1 | 210
Smiths Station, Ala. / Wallace Hanceville CC

2019 1^st Team All-State

"Jerry offers great pitch ability, loves to compete and will have an opportunity to impact our program right away. His competitiveness and command separate him from most pitchers at the junior college level. We have had great success with players coming from Wallace Hanceville and head coach Randy Putman and we are excited about Jerry's future."

Dominick Miller
LHP | 6'2 | 185
Pensacola, Fla. / Pensacola State

"Dominick first hit our radar three years ago out of high school. He has the ability to consistently throw strikes with more than one pitch and attacks each hitter, which is a great formula for winning at any level. His arm strength and competitiveness are what separates him from most pitchers his age. Pensacola State and his coach, Bryan Lewallyn, have always put his players in a great position to succeed at the next level."

Kyle Gamble
LHP | 6'1 | 175
Live Oak, Fla. / Polk State College

"Kyle has great feel with all of his pitches and can pitch on both sides of the plate. He has developed into a quality baseball player in his time at Polk. He has the opportunity to impact the program immediately. He comes from a highly successful junior college program lead by head coach Al Corbeil."

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