Troy University Athletics
Troy Baseball Preview: Infielders
2/12/2019 4:57:00 PM | Baseball
TROY, Alabama – With only three days remaining before baseball hits full gear in Troy, fans of Trojans baseball will get a breakdown of three different groups of this year's squad – pitchers, infielders and outfielders.
With more experience than any other group on the field, Troy's infielders will be the anchor of the 2019 squad. The Trojans boast three returning starters at crucial infield positions – the Sun Belt's top third baseman Drew Frederic, catcher Chase Smartt and second baseman Manning Early.
"The group in the infield is by far the most experienced group we have coming back," head coach Mark Smartt said. "The challenge for this group really comes down to, while this is the most experienced group on our team, we don't have a ton of depth there besides first base and catcher."
Preseason All-American and All-Sun Belt star Drew Frederic batted second in the "Murderers' Row" of .300-plus batters at the top of the Troy lineup in 2018. The junior hit at a .331 clip and led the conference with 28 stolen bases on the year – while also leading the Trojans with 20 doubles.
Smartt, who enters his fourth season playing for Troy, has allowed just four passed balls in his first three years behind the plate and has thrown out 50 would-be base-stealers. A sophomore, Early saw action in 53 games last season and launched five homers and seven doubles.
Elsewhere on the diamond, Troy will look for players to step into key roles at first base and shortstop. The battle for first – including Sadler Goodwin, Cole Prestegard and Hunter Mercer – should come down to the wire and Austin Garofalo will start the opener at the pivotal shortstop position.
Troy baseball opens the 2019 season with a four-game series against Central Michigan beginning this Friday at Riddle-Pace Field. Season tickets are still available for purchase at TroyTrojans.com/Tickets or by contacting the Troy Ticket Office at (334) 670-3681.
With more experience than any other group on the field, Troy's infielders will be the anchor of the 2019 squad. The Trojans boast three returning starters at crucial infield positions – the Sun Belt's top third baseman Drew Frederic, catcher Chase Smartt and second baseman Manning Early.
"The group in the infield is by far the most experienced group we have coming back," head coach Mark Smartt said. "The challenge for this group really comes down to, while this is the most experienced group on our team, we don't have a ton of depth there besides first base and catcher."
Preseason All-American and All-Sun Belt star Drew Frederic batted second in the "Murderers' Row" of .300-plus batters at the top of the Troy lineup in 2018. The junior hit at a .331 clip and led the conference with 28 stolen bases on the year – while also leading the Trojans with 20 doubles.
Smartt, who enters his fourth season playing for Troy, has allowed just four passed balls in his first three years behind the plate and has thrown out 50 would-be base-stealers. A sophomore, Early saw action in 53 games last season and launched five homers and seven doubles.
Elsewhere on the diamond, Troy will look for players to step into key roles at first base and shortstop. The battle for first – including Sadler Goodwin, Cole Prestegard and Hunter Mercer – should come down to the wire and Austin Garofalo will start the opener at the pivotal shortstop position.
Troy baseball opens the 2019 season with a four-game series against Central Michigan beginning this Friday at Riddle-Pace Field. Season tickets are still available for purchase at TroyTrojans.com/Tickets or by contacting the Troy Ticket Office at (334) 670-3681.
Players Mentioned
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