Troy University Athletics
Previewing the Troy Softball Infield
2/6/2024 10:06:00 AM | Softball
TROY, Ala. - With just days left until the 2024 season kicks off, the grizzled infield of the Troy Trojans are preparing to take the field.
The Trojans are returning 2023 All-Sun Belt Second Team and 2024 Preseason All-Sun Belt selection Taylor McKinney, senior shortstop/third baseman Audra Thompson, junior transfer Natalie Turner, two-way athlete Libby Baker and first baseman Kayden Dunn.
McKinney is listed as a utility player but spent most her time at second base for the Trojans in 2023.
The junior from Montgomery, Alabama, led Troy with a .349 batting average, a .691 slugging percentage, 41 runs scored, 53 hits, 51 RBIs, 10 stolen bases, 105 total bases and 12 home runs.
"Taylor is athletic and she could be our starting second baseman if we decide to go that route," head coach Eric Newell said. "It's difficult but also advantageous with her because she can play any of the outfield spots and honestly anywhere in the infield."
Thompson, a Kissimmee, Florida native, has started in 116 out of her 122 career appearances as a Trojan. Thompson has been a Trojan her entire collegiate career and has a .244 career batting average with 44 RBIs, a .368 career on-base percentage, 13 doubles and six home runs.
Thompson plays at her best when she is on defense. Over three seasons, the sure-handed shortstop has maintained a .980 fielding percentage with 334 putouts and only eight errors in her career. Thompson has experience playing every position in the infield.
"I refer to Audra as a swiss army knife," Newell said. "She certainly is capable of playing shortstop but often times we see her playing third and first."
Turner, a transfer from Southern Union Community College, is entering her second season with the Trojans. As a sophomore, the Dothan, Alabama native appeared in 43 games, swiping 11 bases over her 12 attempts.
"Natalie Turner had a really good second season for us," Newell said. "She's very versatile. She can play anywhere in the infield besides first, so we've worked her at third and short and at second."
Baker, a senior from Skipperville, Alabama, appeared primarily at first base for the Trojans in 2023. The two-way athlete earned All-Sun Belt Second Team honors and finished the season second in batting average, hitting at a .329 clip. This season will be Baker's fifth year and she provides a unique versatility to this roster.
Dunn, a sophomore from Brantley, Alabama, will be competing to be the starting first baseman for the upcoming season. As a freshman, Dunn appeared in 39 games and finished the season with five hits.
Another key piece to the infield is junior transfer Cassidy Boltz. Boltz transferred in from Gulf Coast State after playing 107 games for the Commodores. The JUCO product hit at a .424 clip last season with 72 hits, 17 doubles, five triples and 11 home runs.
The Trojans have also added five true freshmen with high potential to compete for appearances and add depth to their roster. Jillian Williams, an infielder from Fayetteville, Georgia, can play any position in the infield aside from first. Taylor Danford is joining the Trojans from Enterprise, Alabama, and will be competing for the starting spot at first base.
Troy recruited freshmen Becca Leigh Chadwick and Rebekah Johnson to provide depth and compete for appearances at first base.
Makaley Boswell, a Geneva, Alabama native, turned some heads during the fall season. The freshman utility player appeared at both second and third base and made an impression.
"Boswell is a freshman that we've been pleased with," Newell said. "She played a lot this fall. She can play second, third, and if we are in a pickle, she could even play shortstop."
Behind the plate, the Trojans have added two new catchers to their roster to compete with returning sophomore Emma Faulk. Faulk appeared in 19 games last season and started two games as a true freshman.
"She didn't log many innings for us but has certainly been improving," Newell said. "She works extremely hard and she's very well thought of by the team."
JUCO product Sarah Beth Brake is joining the Trojans after a successful career at Wallace State. The junior transfer from Gardendale, Alabama, played 103 games for the Lions, blasting 22 home runs, 72 RBIs and helped lead her team to the AJCC championship during her freshman campaign.
Mia Tidmore, a true freshman from Rainsville, Alabama, is listed as a utility player for the Trojans. During Tidmore's high school career, she helped lead Plainview High School to multiple Alabama 3A State Championships while etching her name into her alma mater's record books for most hits in a single season.
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The Trojans are returning 2023 All-Sun Belt Second Team and 2024 Preseason All-Sun Belt selection Taylor McKinney, senior shortstop/third baseman Audra Thompson, junior transfer Natalie Turner, two-way athlete Libby Baker and first baseman Kayden Dunn.
McKinney is listed as a utility player but spent most her time at second base for the Trojans in 2023.
The junior from Montgomery, Alabama, led Troy with a .349 batting average, a .691 slugging percentage, 41 runs scored, 53 hits, 51 RBIs, 10 stolen bases, 105 total bases and 12 home runs.
"Taylor is athletic and she could be our starting second baseman if we decide to go that route," head coach Eric Newell said. "It's difficult but also advantageous with her because she can play any of the outfield spots and honestly anywhere in the infield."
Thompson, a Kissimmee, Florida native, has started in 116 out of her 122 career appearances as a Trojan. Thompson has been a Trojan her entire collegiate career and has a .244 career batting average with 44 RBIs, a .368 career on-base percentage, 13 doubles and six home runs.
Thompson plays at her best when she is on defense. Over three seasons, the sure-handed shortstop has maintained a .980 fielding percentage with 334 putouts and only eight errors in her career. Thompson has experience playing every position in the infield.
"I refer to Audra as a swiss army knife," Newell said. "She certainly is capable of playing shortstop but often times we see her playing third and first."
Turner, a transfer from Southern Union Community College, is entering her second season with the Trojans. As a sophomore, the Dothan, Alabama native appeared in 43 games, swiping 11 bases over her 12 attempts.
"Natalie Turner had a really good second season for us," Newell said. "She's very versatile. She can play anywhere in the infield besides first, so we've worked her at third and short and at second."
Baker, a senior from Skipperville, Alabama, appeared primarily at first base for the Trojans in 2023. The two-way athlete earned All-Sun Belt Second Team honors and finished the season second in batting average, hitting at a .329 clip. This season will be Baker's fifth year and she provides a unique versatility to this roster.
Dunn, a sophomore from Brantley, Alabama, will be competing to be the starting first baseman for the upcoming season. As a freshman, Dunn appeared in 39 games and finished the season with five hits.
Another key piece to the infield is junior transfer Cassidy Boltz. Boltz transferred in from Gulf Coast State after playing 107 games for the Commodores. The JUCO product hit at a .424 clip last season with 72 hits, 17 doubles, five triples and 11 home runs.
The Trojans have also added five true freshmen with high potential to compete for appearances and add depth to their roster. Jillian Williams, an infielder from Fayetteville, Georgia, can play any position in the infield aside from first. Taylor Danford is joining the Trojans from Enterprise, Alabama, and will be competing for the starting spot at first base.
Troy recruited freshmen Becca Leigh Chadwick and Rebekah Johnson to provide depth and compete for appearances at first base.
Makaley Boswell, a Geneva, Alabama native, turned some heads during the fall season. The freshman utility player appeared at both second and third base and made an impression.
"Boswell is a freshman that we've been pleased with," Newell said. "She played a lot this fall. She can play second, third, and if we are in a pickle, she could even play shortstop."
Behind the plate, the Trojans have added two new catchers to their roster to compete with returning sophomore Emma Faulk. Faulk appeared in 19 games last season and started two games as a true freshman.
"She didn't log many innings for us but has certainly been improving," Newell said. "She works extremely hard and she's very well thought of by the team."
JUCO product Sarah Beth Brake is joining the Trojans after a successful career at Wallace State. The junior transfer from Gardendale, Alabama, played 103 games for the Lions, blasting 22 home runs, 72 RBIs and helped lead her team to the AJCC championship during her freshman campaign.
Mia Tidmore, a true freshman from Rainsville, Alabama, is listed as a utility player for the Trojans. During Tidmore's high school career, she helped lead Plainview High School to multiple Alabama 3A State Championships while etching her name into her alma mater's record books for most hits in a single season.
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