Troy Prepped for Battle with Auburn

Tuesday, April 25

Auburn, Ala.

6 p.m.

Troy University

Auburn

Photo by: Troy University

4/24/2023 5:19:00 PM | Baseball

Game Notes

By: Troy Athletics Communications

TROY, Ala. – Troy baseball travels north to square off with their fourth in-state opponent this season, as the mid-week sees Troy take on Auburn at 6 p.m. Tuesday from Plainsman Park.

Troy (28-13) is coming fresh off their third consecutive Sun Belt series win after taking two out of three from Texas State. This will be the only time these two teams see one another this season after seeing one another twice last season.

Auburn (23-16-1) took both games last year. Troy has not beaten the Tigers since 2018, with Troy's last win against the Tigers coming away from Riddle-Pace Field in 2017. Auburn controls the all-time series 58-23.

What: Troy (28-13) vs. Auburn (23-16-1)
Date: April 25
Time: 6 p.m.
Location: Plainsman Park - Auburn, Ala.
TV: SEC Network+
Radio: Troy Sports Radio Network 94.7 FM
Audio: TroyTrojans.com/listen
Live Stats: TroyStats.com

Caleb Bartolero, Clay Stearns, and Grayson Stewart were all named to D1 Baseball's Top Performers List for their Performance in Troy's 22-5 win over Texas State. Bartolero recorded four hits with five RBIs, Stearns hit two home runs also recording five RBIs, and Stewart picked up his fifth win of the season after going six innings, allowing one run with seven strikeouts.

Bartolero also notably moved into seventh place all-time for career doubles. Bartolero joins Chase Smartt and Clint Robinson with 47 career doubles, with only one more double needed to move into a tie for sixth place.

Shane Lewis has his eyes set on breaking another Trojan record this season, as he is one home run away from becoming the Trojans' all-time leader in home runs during the Bbcor era. With 18 on the season, Lewis has hit the most home runs since 2013, putting him in eighth place for most home runs in a single season.

Lewis leads the Sun Belt Conference in home runs, OPS (1.253), and RBIs (61). His 61 RBIs are the most by a Trojan since Joey Denison in 2018.

Last season the Trojan pitching staff led the Sun Belt Conference in strikeouts with 520. That was the fourth most by a staff in program history. In 2023 through 41 games, Troy pitchers have stuck out 436 batters. Averaging 11.0 strikeouts per game, Troy ranks 10th in the nation in the category.

Four of the top 10 strikeout leaders in the Sun Belt are Trojans. Ben Thompson is second in the conference with 68, and Brady Fuller is right behind him with 67—Zach Fruit (60) and Grayson Stewart (55) round out the top 10.

Know the Foe: Auburn
Auburn is 8-2 in midweek games this season, including 5-0 in midweek games at home. Freshman Hayden Murphyv( 1-0, 10.05) will get the start for the Tigers. This past weekend Cooper McMurray homered in four straight games and totaled five home runs last week en route to being named the SEC Player of the Week.