Troy University Athletics
Wednesday, May 24
Montgomery, Ala.
9 a.m.
Troy University
vs
Appalachian State
No. 3 Troy Opens Sun Belt Tournament against Appalachian State
5/23/2023 2:00:00 PM | Baseball
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Troy opens competition at the Sun Belt Conference Tournament against Appalachian State in Montgomery's Riverwalk Stadium at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, May 24. Trojan fans looking to follow Troy to Montgomery can visit Troytrojans.com/SBCbaseball to purchase tickets.
The matchup will be the first time these two programs have seen one another in the postseason. Three days ago, the Mountaineers visited Troy for a three-game series, which saw the Trojans victorious in two of the three games.
How to Follow:
What: Troy (38-18, 18-12) vs. Appalachian State (27-23, 16-13)
Date: May 24
Time: 9 a.m.
Location: Montgomery, Ala. – Riverwalk Stadium
Watch: ESPN+
Radio: Troy Sports Radio Network 94.7 FM
Audio: TroyTrojans.com/listen
PROJECTED STARTING PITCHERS
RHP Grayson Stewart (9-2) 3.20 ERA vs. RHP Xander Hamilton (8-3) 5.38 ERA
Troy finished the regular season 38-18 and 18-12 in the Sun Belt, making it the Trojans' best finish since 2018, which saw Troy make an NCAA Regional. Nationally Troy ranks 35th in RPI, with their non-conference RPI seventh and non-conference strength of schedule 16th in the nation.
Before the Trojans made the short trip to Montgomery, Troy's redshirt sophomore Shane Lewis was named the 2023 Sun Belt Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year, with Caleb Bartolero, Grayson Stewart, and Lewis making the All-Sun Belt First Team and Noah Manning received second team recognition.
Lewis became the first Sun Belt player in 20 years to win both Newcomer and Player of the Year awards in the same season. In addition, Lewis has had a historic season at the plate, hitting the second-most home runs in the nation. With 27 on the year, he became the Trojan record holder for most home runs by a Troy player in a single season; it is the first time since 2010 a Trojan has hit more than 20 home runs in a season and most in the Sun Belt Conference since 2009.
Stewart will get the start on the mound for the Trojans after leading the Trojans in wins and ERA during the regular season. Stewart ranks in the top 10 of conference leaders in innings pitched (78.2) and batters struck out (86). His 37 runs given up is the 10th fewest in the Sun Belt, while his 28 earned runs are also in the top 10 for lowest allowed this season. He has pitched at least five innings in 13 of his 14 starts this season.
With 11 saves on the season, not only does Manning lead the Sun Belt Conference, he only needs one more to match the single-season record in program history. His 30 appearances overall are the most by any pitcher on the Troy team.
For the second straight year under the pitching expertise of head coach Skylar Meade, the Trojan's pitching staff already has the highest K per nine innings in program history. In 487.2 innings of work, the Trojans have struck out 587 batters averaging 10.7 strikeouts per game, ranking 12th in the nation. Their 587 strikeouts led all Sun Belt teams during the regular season, a new single-season record.
The 2023 season has been a season of setting records. Troy sits at 99 home runs on the season; they are trying to become the fourth team in program history to hit 100 home runs in a season. Senior and captain Barotolero will finish his career at Troy ranked in the top 10 in career hits (204), at-bats (688), and doubles (50). Bartolero is one of only six Trojans to hit 50 doubles in his career.
Donovan Whibbs and William Sullivan have their names in the Trojan record books as well, with Whibbs ranking fifth all-time in career triples with eight and Sullivan getting hit by a pitch 25 times this season, matching the Trojan record and setting the career record in the process for hit by pitches with 45 in four seasons with Troy.
Know the Foe: Appalachian State
Entering the matchup, the Mountaineers rank ninth in team batting (.281) and have the highest ERA among Sun Belt Teams (7.83). They are led by First Team All-Sun Belt Pitcher Xander Hamilton, who is 8-3 on the season and leads the league with 109 strikeouts in 82.0 innings pitched.
The matchup will be the first time these two programs have seen one another in the postseason. Three days ago, the Mountaineers visited Troy for a three-game series, which saw the Trojans victorious in two of the three games.
How to Follow:
What: Troy (38-18, 18-12) vs. Appalachian State (27-23, 16-13)
Date: May 24
Time: 9 a.m.
Location: Montgomery, Ala. – Riverwalk Stadium
Watch: ESPN+
Radio: Troy Sports Radio Network 94.7 FM
Audio: TroyTrojans.com/listen
PROJECTED STARTING PITCHERS
RHP Grayson Stewart (9-2) 3.20 ERA vs. RHP Xander Hamilton (8-3) 5.38 ERA
Troy finished the regular season 38-18 and 18-12 in the Sun Belt, making it the Trojans' best finish since 2018, which saw Troy make an NCAA Regional. Nationally Troy ranks 35th in RPI, with their non-conference RPI seventh and non-conference strength of schedule 16th in the nation.
Before the Trojans made the short trip to Montgomery, Troy's redshirt sophomore Shane Lewis was named the 2023 Sun Belt Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year, with Caleb Bartolero, Grayson Stewart, and Lewis making the All-Sun Belt First Team and Noah Manning received second team recognition.
Lewis became the first Sun Belt player in 20 years to win both Newcomer and Player of the Year awards in the same season. In addition, Lewis has had a historic season at the plate, hitting the second-most home runs in the nation. With 27 on the year, he became the Trojan record holder for most home runs by a Troy player in a single season; it is the first time since 2010 a Trojan has hit more than 20 home runs in a season and most in the Sun Belt Conference since 2009.
Stewart will get the start on the mound for the Trojans after leading the Trojans in wins and ERA during the regular season. Stewart ranks in the top 10 of conference leaders in innings pitched (78.2) and batters struck out (86). His 37 runs given up is the 10th fewest in the Sun Belt, while his 28 earned runs are also in the top 10 for lowest allowed this season. He has pitched at least five innings in 13 of his 14 starts this season.
With 11 saves on the season, not only does Manning lead the Sun Belt Conference, he only needs one more to match the single-season record in program history. His 30 appearances overall are the most by any pitcher on the Troy team.
For the second straight year under the pitching expertise of head coach Skylar Meade, the Trojan's pitching staff already has the highest K per nine innings in program history. In 487.2 innings of work, the Trojans have struck out 587 batters averaging 10.7 strikeouts per game, ranking 12th in the nation. Their 587 strikeouts led all Sun Belt teams during the regular season, a new single-season record.
The 2023 season has been a season of setting records. Troy sits at 99 home runs on the season; they are trying to become the fourth team in program history to hit 100 home runs in a season. Senior and captain Barotolero will finish his career at Troy ranked in the top 10 in career hits (204), at-bats (688), and doubles (50). Bartolero is one of only six Trojans to hit 50 doubles in his career.
Donovan Whibbs and William Sullivan have their names in the Trojan record books as well, with Whibbs ranking fifth all-time in career triples with eight and Sullivan getting hit by a pitch 25 times this season, matching the Trojan record and setting the career record in the process for hit by pitches with 45 in four seasons with Troy.
Know the Foe: Appalachian State
Entering the matchup, the Mountaineers rank ninth in team batting (.281) and have the highest ERA among Sun Belt Teams (7.83). They are led by First Team All-Sun Belt Pitcher Xander Hamilton, who is 8-3 on the season and leads the league with 109 strikeouts in 82.0 innings pitched.
Players Mentioned
C
/ Baseball
OF
/ Baseball
RHP
/ Baseball
RHP
/ Baseball
IF
/ Baseball
IF
/ BaseballBehind the Wall - S10, E3
Thursday, September 18
PODCAST - Kaleb Canales
Wednesday, September 17
Gerad Parker Press Conference - Buffalo Game
Monday, September 15
Troy Football Press Conference (Players) - Buffalo Game
Monday, September 15