Troy University Athletics
Friday, February 26
Troy, Ala.
6 p.m.
Troy University
vs
Jacksonville
Troy Plays Host to Jacksonville For Three-Game Series
2/25/2021 5:58:00 PM | Baseball
TROY, Ala. – Troy baseball closes out its eight-game home stand with a three-game series against Jacksonville at Riddle-Pace Field. First pitch between the Trojans and Dolphins for the series-opener is set for 6 p.m.
Troy will be honoring its three All-Americans – Levi Thomas, Caleb Bartolero and William Sullivan – from the 2020 season before the game on Friday.
What: Troy vs. Jacksonville
Date: Feb. 26 / 27 / 28
Time: 6 p.m. / 1 p.m. / 1 p.m.
Location: Troy, Ala. – Riddle-Pace Field
Radio: Troy Sports Radio Network (970 AM / 96.3 FM)
Audio: TroyTrojans.com/listen
Talent: Barry McKnight & Jerry Miller
Live Stats: TroyStats.com
Watch: ESPN+ (Sunday only)
Troy is off to a 4-1 start on the year after a 3-1 series victory over Youngstown State on Opening Weekend and a 10-3 win over in-state foe UAB on Tuesday. The Trojans' bats have started the year hot. Troy has put up 10 or more runs in three of its first five games.
The depth of Troy's lineup has made itself very apparent in the early stages of the season. Nine-hole hitter Nic Nolan leads the Sun Belt and is fourth nationally with nine hits on the year, while seven-hole hitter Logan Cerny has three home runs and a National Player of the Week honor under his belt.
William Sullivan has been a dominant force in the middle of the Trojan lineup. The lefty first baseman has two home runs, three doubles and six RBIs this season. Kyle Mock, the designated hitter, is batting at a .533 clip with two doubles and a triple.
While the top of Troy's lineup has been quiet, relatively speaking, Rigsby Mosley has done his job as the Trojans' leadoff batter. Mosley has reached base in his first at-bat in all five games this season.
On the mound Friday night for the Trojans will be Orlando Ortiz, who is coming off a career-high 11-strikeout performance on Opening Night. His 11 strikeouts lead the Sun Belt and are tied for the seventh-most nationally.
True freshman Garrett Gainous and sophomore Bay Witcher will act as the Saturday and Sunday starters, respectively. The pair each earned their first wins on the mound as Trojans in last Saturday's doubleheader. Gainous went 5.0 innings, struck out five and allowed just one run to score while Witcher lasted 6.0 innings, fanned five batters and allowed only two runs.
The bullpen has been exceptional as well so far this season with Troy's relief pitchers having inherited a total of seven base runners this season and allowed just one to score. The Trojan arms have retired nine of their 12 first batters faced and opponents are hitting .152 with runners in scoring position this season.
Know Your Foe
Overall: 14-16
In Troy: 8-3
In Jacksonville: 5-12
Neutral: 1-1
Pitching Matchups
G1 - RHP Orlando Ortiz vs. RHP Tyler Santana
G2 - RHP Garrett Gainous vs. RHP Mike Cassala
G3 - RHP Bay Witcher vs. RHP Austin Temple
Follow TROY Baseball
Social: Twitter | Instagram
Join The Conversation: #theTROYway | #OneTROY
Troy will be honoring its three All-Americans – Levi Thomas, Caleb Bartolero and William Sullivan – from the 2020 season before the game on Friday.
What: Troy vs. Jacksonville
Date: Feb. 26 / 27 / 28
Time: 6 p.m. / 1 p.m. / 1 p.m.
Location: Troy, Ala. – Riddle-Pace Field
Radio: Troy Sports Radio Network (970 AM / 96.3 FM)
Audio: TroyTrojans.com/listen
Talent: Barry McKnight & Jerry Miller
Live Stats: TroyStats.com
Watch: ESPN+ (Sunday only)
Troy is off to a 4-1 start on the year after a 3-1 series victory over Youngstown State on Opening Weekend and a 10-3 win over in-state foe UAB on Tuesday. The Trojans' bats have started the year hot. Troy has put up 10 or more runs in three of its first five games.
The depth of Troy's lineup has made itself very apparent in the early stages of the season. Nine-hole hitter Nic Nolan leads the Sun Belt and is fourth nationally with nine hits on the year, while seven-hole hitter Logan Cerny has three home runs and a National Player of the Week honor under his belt.
William Sullivan has been a dominant force in the middle of the Trojan lineup. The lefty first baseman has two home runs, three doubles and six RBIs this season. Kyle Mock, the designated hitter, is batting at a .533 clip with two doubles and a triple.
While the top of Troy's lineup has been quiet, relatively speaking, Rigsby Mosley has done his job as the Trojans' leadoff batter. Mosley has reached base in his first at-bat in all five games this season.
On the mound Friday night for the Trojans will be Orlando Ortiz, who is coming off a career-high 11-strikeout performance on Opening Night. His 11 strikeouts lead the Sun Belt and are tied for the seventh-most nationally.
True freshman Garrett Gainous and sophomore Bay Witcher will act as the Saturday and Sunday starters, respectively. The pair each earned their first wins on the mound as Trojans in last Saturday's doubleheader. Gainous went 5.0 innings, struck out five and allowed just one run to score while Witcher lasted 6.0 innings, fanned five batters and allowed only two runs.
The bullpen has been exceptional as well so far this season with Troy's relief pitchers having inherited a total of seven base runners this season and allowed just one to score. The Trojan arms have retired nine of their 12 first batters faced and opponents are hitting .152 with runners in scoring position this season.
Know Your Foe
- Jacksonville is off to an 0-4 start on the year after finishing the shortened 2020 season with a 9-9 record. Last time out, JU dropped a 7-2 decision to Pittsburgh.
- Troy and JU have not met since 2005 with the Dolphins winning the previous two meetings. JU leads the all-time series 16-14.
- JU was playing its best baseball down the stretch last season, having won eight of their last 11 games. The dolphins pushed across seven or more runs in six of those eight wins.
- Friday night starter Tyler Santana has pitched in the weekend rotation for the Dolphins in four straight seasons. He served as the Saturday starter as a sophomore, winning 10 games. He moved to Friday nights as a junior before returning to Saturdays last season.
Overall: 14-16
In Troy: 8-3
In Jacksonville: 5-12
Neutral: 1-1
Pitching Matchups
G1 - RHP Orlando Ortiz vs. RHP Tyler Santana
G2 - RHP Garrett Gainous vs. RHP Mike Cassala
G3 - RHP Bay Witcher vs. RHP Austin Temple
Follow TROY Baseball
Social: Twitter | Instagram
Join The Conversation: #theTROYway | #OneTROY
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