Troy Hits the Road For Series Against No. 1 Florida

NOTES

TROY, Ala. – Troy baseball hits the road for the first time this season to Gainesville, Fla. for a matchup against No. 1 Florida. The series kicks off at 5:30 p.m. (CT) Friday under the lights of Alfred A. McKethan Stadium.

The Matchup: Troy (8-1) at No. 1 Florida (8-0)
Where: Gainesville, Fla. - Alfred A. McKethan Stadium
When: Feb. 28 / 29 / March 1 – 5:30 p.m. (CT) / 3 p.m. (CT) / Noon (CT)
Watch: SECN+
Radio: WTBF 94.7 FM (Jerry Miller)
Audio Stream: https://gotroy.us/32xZRtv
Live Stats: TroyStats.com

Troy has defeated a ranked opponent in each of Mark Smartt's first four seasons, but this is the first time since 2008 (at Arizona State) the Trojans will go up against a top ranked team.

The Trojans are off to the best start in the Smartt era, aided by one of the nation's top offenses. Troy ranks first in the nation in hits (107) and doubles (37). Nearly half of Troy's hits – 50 out of 107 – have gone for extra bases.

Sophomore catcher Caleb Bartolero has been leading the way for Troy with a nation-leading eight doubles to go along with 16 RBIs. Senior Dalton Sinquefield and freshman William Sullivan each have six doubles on the year, tied for the second-most in the country.

The Trojans have scored in the first inning in six out of nine games this season. Leading off for the Trojans is Rigsby Mosley who enters the series on a career-long 15 game hitting streak.

Troy has picked up two series-opening victories this season behind one of the Sun Belt's best arms in Levi Thomas. The Cullman, Ala., native has registered 25 strikeouts – the second-most nationally – and has allowed just two hits in 11.0 innings. Thomas's strikeout-to-walk ratio of 25.00 ranks second in the country. The junior became the first Trojan since 2008 to receive back-to-back conference player of the week honors.

Thomas will get the start in the Friday night role while Orlando Ortiz will take the mound Saturday. Sophomore right-hander Tyson Ellis will make the first start of his career in Sunday's series finale. Troy's bullpen has been solid behind its starters, combining for two shutouts and six double-digit strikeout performances this season.

SCOUTING THE GATORS
Kevin O'Sullivan's squad is off to an 8-0 start in 2020, the best start in O'Sullivan's 13-years with the Gators. Florida enters the series against Troy as the nation's top ranked team after sweeping previous No. 1 Miami in a three-game series last weekend. Jacob Young has a team-best .407 average this season while Jud Fabian leads the Gators in RBIs (9), doubles (4) and home runs (3). Tommy Mace, Jack Leftwich and Hunter Barco slated to round out the Gators' weekend rotation. Starting shortstop Josh Rivera was named SEC Co-Freshman of the Week on Monday. In four games last week, Rivera hit .533 with four runs, two doubles, a home run and five RBIs.

PITCHING MATCHUPS
Game One
RHP Levi Thomas (2-0, 0.00) vs. RHP Tommy Mace (1-0, 2.08)

Game Two
RHP Orlando Ortiz (1-0, 3.27) vs. RHP Jack Leftwich (1-0, 0.75)

Game Three
RHP Tyson Ellis (0-0, 1.80) vs. LHP Hunter Barco (1-0, 1.08)

SERIES
Overall: 1-4
in Gainesville: 1-4
in Troy: 0-0
Neutral: 0-0

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Troy Hits the Road For Series Against No. 1 Florida

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Players Mentioned

Caleb Bartolero

Tyson Ellis

Rigsby Mosley

Orlando Ortiz

Dalton Sinquefield

William Sullivan

Levi Thomas

Troy University Athletics