Troy University Athletics
Troy Softball Preview: The Infielders
2/5/2019 2:50:00 PM | Softball
TROY, Alabama – With three days until the start of the 2019 season, the Trojans turn to an experienced group of infielders to provide leadership and flexibility for the team.
Head coach Beth Mullins welcomes back eight infielders from last season – Madelyn Porter, Kaylee Hussey, Katie Webb, Logan Calhoun, Hannah Williamson, Bailey Taylor, Hope Hernandez, and Kelly Horne. In addition to the eight returners, Mullins welcomes three new infielders – Adia Polk, Kaylee Chapman, and Allie Miller.
Catchers: Hussey, an Enterprise, Ala. native, started 52 games of 55 games played last season. In 2018, Hussey recorded a .977 fielding percentage and caught 12 runners stealing. The senior also brings a lot of power to the plate. Hussey also blasted eight home runs to lead the Trojans.
Behind the plate, sophomores Hannah Williamson and Hope Hernandez will also make appearances. Williamson played eight games last season with three starts all at catcher. Hernandez is a utility who sees playing time at catcher and second.
"Kaylee Hussey has done a great job of holding down the catching position for the last couple of years," Mullins said. "Her along with Hope Hernandez and Hannah Williamson will do a great job of managing and complimenting the pitching staff."
First Base: Webb, a Preseason All-Sun Belt team selection, started all 60 games at first base last season. Webb brings a strong bat to the plate for the Trojans. In 2018, the Salem, Alabama native posted the highest batting average on the team with a .349 clip and led the team in RBIs with 38.
Polk, a freshman, will see playing time at first base. The Snellville, Georgia native brings a big offensive contribution.
"Freshman Adia Polk brings another big bat to the first base position to go along with Katie Webb," Mullins said.
Second Base: Rotating at second base will be Kelly Horne, Hope Hernandez, and Allie Miller. Horne is a redshirt freshman who only saw action in seven games last season before receiving a medical redshirt following an injury.
"Kelly Horne brings an impactful bat to the infield," Mullins said. "[Horne] also brings experience into the middle infield."
Hernandez saw action in 42 games last season, splitting time between catcher and second base. The Tampa, Florida native ended last season batting .276 with 12 RBIs. Freshman Allie Miler adds more talent into the second base rotation.
"Hope Hernandez is the ultimate utility player," Mullins said. "She is able to play multiple positions within the infield. Allie Miller has brought a lot of added talent into the middle infield and will be competing for starting roles."
Short Stop: Calhoun, a 2018 All-Sun Belt Second Team selection, started all 60 games at short stop last season. The junior brings leadership and experience into the infield after recording the most plate appearances on the team with 225. Calhoun, a native of Dublin, Ga., ended the season batting .308 and leading the team in runs scored with 47.
Chapman, a freshman out of Springville, Alabama, is also expected to make appearances at short stop this season.
Third Base: Senior Madeline Porter started all 60 games at third base last season. The Birmingham, Alabama native held the second longest hitting streak with hits in 10 consecutive games and also posted 11 multi hit games and five multi- RBI games.
"Katie, Logan, and Madeline are all impact players in the infield," Mullins said. "I expect them all to be leaders out there on the field."
Sophomore Bailey Taylor also returns to the Trojans with playing time at third base. Taylor, a Winnsboro, S.C. native, played in 20 games last season with nine starts.
"We have a lot of confidence in the infield this year," Mullins said. "We have a lot of depth at each position this year which gives you confidence as a coach because it gives you a lot of flexibility with the lineup."
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.
Head coach Beth Mullins welcomes back eight infielders from last season – Madelyn Porter, Kaylee Hussey, Katie Webb, Logan Calhoun, Hannah Williamson, Bailey Taylor, Hope Hernandez, and Kelly Horne. In addition to the eight returners, Mullins welcomes three new infielders – Adia Polk, Kaylee Chapman, and Allie Miller.
Catchers: Hussey, an Enterprise, Ala. native, started 52 games of 55 games played last season. In 2018, Hussey recorded a .977 fielding percentage and caught 12 runners stealing. The senior also brings a lot of power to the plate. Hussey also blasted eight home runs to lead the Trojans.
Behind the plate, sophomores Hannah Williamson and Hope Hernandez will also make appearances. Williamson played eight games last season with three starts all at catcher. Hernandez is a utility who sees playing time at catcher and second.
"Kaylee Hussey has done a great job of holding down the catching position for the last couple of years," Mullins said. "Her along with Hope Hernandez and Hannah Williamson will do a great job of managing and complimenting the pitching staff."
First Base: Webb, a Preseason All-Sun Belt team selection, started all 60 games at first base last season. Webb brings a strong bat to the plate for the Trojans. In 2018, the Salem, Alabama native posted the highest batting average on the team with a .349 clip and led the team in RBIs with 38.
Polk, a freshman, will see playing time at first base. The Snellville, Georgia native brings a big offensive contribution.
"Freshman Adia Polk brings another big bat to the first base position to go along with Katie Webb," Mullins said.
Second Base: Rotating at second base will be Kelly Horne, Hope Hernandez, and Allie Miller. Horne is a redshirt freshman who only saw action in seven games last season before receiving a medical redshirt following an injury.
"Kelly Horne brings an impactful bat to the infield," Mullins said. "[Horne] also brings experience into the middle infield."
Hernandez saw action in 42 games last season, splitting time between catcher and second base. The Tampa, Florida native ended last season batting .276 with 12 RBIs. Freshman Allie Miler adds more talent into the second base rotation.
"Hope Hernandez is the ultimate utility player," Mullins said. "She is able to play multiple positions within the infield. Allie Miller has brought a lot of added talent into the middle infield and will be competing for starting roles."
Short Stop: Calhoun, a 2018 All-Sun Belt Second Team selection, started all 60 games at short stop last season. The junior brings leadership and experience into the infield after recording the most plate appearances on the team with 225. Calhoun, a native of Dublin, Ga., ended the season batting .308 and leading the team in runs scored with 47.
Chapman, a freshman out of Springville, Alabama, is also expected to make appearances at short stop this season.
Third Base: Senior Madeline Porter started all 60 games at third base last season. The Birmingham, Alabama native held the second longest hitting streak with hits in 10 consecutive games and also posted 11 multi hit games and five multi- RBI games.
"Katie, Logan, and Madeline are all impact players in the infield," Mullins said. "I expect them all to be leaders out there on the field."
Sophomore Bailey Taylor also returns to the Trojans with playing time at third base. Taylor, a Winnsboro, S.C. native, played in 20 games last season with nine starts.
"We have a lot of confidence in the infield this year," Mullins said. "We have a lot of depth at each position this year which gives you confidence as a coach because it gives you a lot of flexibility with the lineup."
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.
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