Troy University Athletics
Troy Softball Preview: In the Circle
2/4/2019 9:16:00 AM | Softball
TROY, Alabama – With just four days until the start of the 2019 season, the Troy softball team looks to build on its strong 2018 season, and it all starts in the circle for the Trojans.
Head coach Beth Mullins welcomes back four returners from last season – Claire Graves, Peyton Glover, Annie Willis and Kysnley Rae Blasingame.
Glover, a Grayson, Ga., native was named to the Sun Belt All-Tournament team after pitching a three-hitter to defeat South Alabama in tournament play. The senior posted a 13-9 record with a career-best 3.06 ERA last season over 38 appearances and 21 starts.
Graves, a native of Southside, Ala., leads all Trojan pitchers heading in to the 2019 season with 85 career appearances and 52 starts. Last season, Graves recorded 30 strikeouts in 60 innings of work and owns 19 career victories.
"These two seniors have been there and done it," Mullins said. "Claire Graves and Peyton Glover have done it for three years already and have been great for our younger pitchers."
Willis, a Preseason All-Sun Belt First Team selection, returns to the circle after a successful freshman season. Willis was named Sun Belt Freshman of the Year and first team all conference last season. The Huntsville, Ala., native recorded the lowest ERA of the team and fourth lowest in the conference with a 2.57. Willis led Troy with 117 strikeouts in 166 innings of work.
"Annie Willis is the name that everyone talks about," Mullins said. "She had a great freshman year and will not go unnoticed this season."
The last of the returners is Blasingame. Blasingame, a sophomore, comes out of Horseshoe Bend High School in New Site, Alabama. In her first year at Troy, Blasingame appeared in 11 games and recorded eight strikeouts in 16 innings of work.
Troy also welcomes two freshmen to the pitching staff – Leanna Johnson and Haley Postell.
Johnson comes to Troy from nearby Brantley, Ala., where she led the Bulldogs to four state championships (2014, 15, 16, and 18). The freshman was named the 2018 ASWA Player of the Year and the 2018 Gatorade Player of the Year. Johnson currently holds the Brantley High School records for career wins (162), career strikeouts (1,714), career no hitters (29), and career perfect games (6).
"We are excited to welcome Leanna Johnson who is an impressive freshman," Mullins said. "We know that she will bring her own crew and lots of support with her to every game."
Postell joins the Trojans from Hueytown High School where she helped lead Panthers to an area championship in 2015. Postell was named to the 2016 Birmingham All- Metro Team. In her senior season, Postell finished with 180 strikeouts, 14 wins, 23 saves and a 2.11 ERA
"People will be talking about this pitching staff," Mullins said. "I believe that they know that they are good and that is important, but they also know that they can always get better. It will be a great season."
Troy opens the 2019 season with the annual Trojan Classic this weekend at the Troy Softball Complex. The Trojans take on Maryland (3 p.m.) and Alabama (5:30 p.m.) on Friday; admission to all Troy softball games is free.
