Troy University Athletics
Friday, April 14
Lafayette, La.
6 p.m.
Troy University
at
Louisiana
Trojans Visit Sun Belt Leaders Louisiana
4/13/2023 5:23:00 PM | Baseball
TROY, Ala. – The Trojans travel to Lafayette, La. for a pivotal weekend series with Sun Belt Conference leaders the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns, beginning on Friday, Apr. 14 at 6 p.m. with games following on Saturday and Sunday. Only Sunday's contest will be broadcast on ESPN+.
Troy will be looking to carry last year's momentum into the weekend as they swept Louisiana at Riddle-Pace Field for the first time in program history. The Ragin' Cajuns overall have a 36-24 record against the Trojans, with Troy 11-18 in Lafayette.
What: Troy (23-11) vs. Louisiana (24-9)
Date: April 14 | April 15 | April 16
Time: 6 p.m. | 4 p.m. | 1 p.m.
Location: Lafayette, La. – M.L. "Tigue" Moore Field
Radio: Troy Sports Radio Network 97.4 FM
Audio: TroyTrojans.com/listen
Talent: Jerry Miller
Live Stats: TroyStats.com
Coming off their 23rd win of the season over Samford during the midweek, thanks to an RBI single from Ethan Kavanagh in the bottom of the eighth inning and the game tied at six, the Trojans will head into the weekend looking to win their second consecutive Sun Belt road series.
Troy's pitching has found success all season as the Trojans continue to strike out opponents at a high clip. Averaging 11.0 strikeouts per nine innings, Troy ranks 12th in the nation in the category and second in the Sun Belt. Zach Fruit himself is 10th in the country, averaging 14.03. Fruit has totaled 53 all season and has five wins to lead Troy, putting him in third among Sun Belt Conference leaders.
In addition to Fruit, plenty of Trojans rank among the nation's best this season. Outfielder Shane Lewis and his 49 RBIs put him seventh in the country, while his 15 home runs lead the Sun Belt and rank fifth nationally.
With 18 appearances out of the bullpen, Noah Manning is in a tie for 12th among all players nationwide. The Trojans have been able to rely on Manning to come in and shut the door, as his six saves are second in the conference.
Brady Fuller (2-3) makes his usual Friday start. In 44.0 innings pitched, he has 51 strikeouts. Last season against Louisiana, Fuller went 6.1 innings and struck out six while only surrendering three runs. Saturday starter Grayson Stewart (3-2) followed Fuller last season in relief and picked up the win. Troy has not announced a starter for Sunday as of yet.
Know the Foe: Louisiana
Louisiana is ranked No. 28 in the Collegiate Baseball poll and is currently tied with Coastal Carolina for the overall league lead. With 100 stolen bases on the season, they rank fourth nationally. They earned a sweep in its last weekend series taking all three games at Marshall. The Ragin' Cajuns opened their third, five-game week of the season against a pair of in-state teams, beginning with a 10-5 win over Louisiana Tech on Tuesday before dropping a 5-4 contest at Southeastern Louisiana on Wednesday. Right-hander Jake Hammond (3-2, 3.40 ERA) will earn the start in Friday's opener, with right-hander Jackson Nazuh (5-1, 7.19 ERA) taking the mound on Saturday and right-hander Blake McGhee (1-0, 0.68 ERA) on Sunday.
Troy will be looking to carry last year's momentum into the weekend as they swept Louisiana at Riddle-Pace Field for the first time in program history. The Ragin' Cajuns overall have a 36-24 record against the Trojans, with Troy 11-18 in Lafayette.
What: Troy (23-11) vs. Louisiana (24-9)
Date: April 14 | April 15 | April 16
Time: 6 p.m. | 4 p.m. | 1 p.m.
Location: Lafayette, La. – M.L. "Tigue" Moore Field
Radio: Troy Sports Radio Network 97.4 FM
Audio: TroyTrojans.com/listen
Talent: Jerry Miller
Live Stats: TroyStats.com
Coming off their 23rd win of the season over Samford during the midweek, thanks to an RBI single from Ethan Kavanagh in the bottom of the eighth inning and the game tied at six, the Trojans will head into the weekend looking to win their second consecutive Sun Belt road series.
Troy's pitching has found success all season as the Trojans continue to strike out opponents at a high clip. Averaging 11.0 strikeouts per nine innings, Troy ranks 12th in the nation in the category and second in the Sun Belt. Zach Fruit himself is 10th in the country, averaging 14.03. Fruit has totaled 53 all season and has five wins to lead Troy, putting him in third among Sun Belt Conference leaders.
In addition to Fruit, plenty of Trojans rank among the nation's best this season. Outfielder Shane Lewis and his 49 RBIs put him seventh in the country, while his 15 home runs lead the Sun Belt and rank fifth nationally.
With 18 appearances out of the bullpen, Noah Manning is in a tie for 12th among all players nationwide. The Trojans have been able to rely on Manning to come in and shut the door, as his six saves are second in the conference.
Brady Fuller (2-3) makes his usual Friday start. In 44.0 innings pitched, he has 51 strikeouts. Last season against Louisiana, Fuller went 6.1 innings and struck out six while only surrendering three runs. Saturday starter Grayson Stewart (3-2) followed Fuller last season in relief and picked up the win. Troy has not announced a starter for Sunday as of yet.
Know the Foe: Louisiana
Louisiana is ranked No. 28 in the Collegiate Baseball poll and is currently tied with Coastal Carolina for the overall league lead. With 100 stolen bases on the season, they rank fourth nationally. They earned a sweep in its last weekend series taking all three games at Marshall. The Ragin' Cajuns opened their third, five-game week of the season against a pair of in-state teams, beginning with a 10-5 win over Louisiana Tech on Tuesday before dropping a 5-4 contest at Southeastern Louisiana on Wednesday. Right-hander Jake Hammond (3-2, 3.40 ERA) will earn the start in Friday's opener, with right-hander Jackson Nazuh (5-1, 7.19 ERA) taking the mound on Saturday and right-hander Blake McGhee (1-0, 0.68 ERA) on Sunday.
Players Mentioned
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