Troy University Athletics
Troy University
Coastal Carolina
Troy Heads to Texas for Sun Belt Conference Tournament
5/8/2024 12:00:00 PM | Softball
SAN MARCOS, Texas – Troy softball heads to San Marcos, Texas to tackle the Sun Belt Conference Tournament, where it will play against the no. 4 seed Coastal Carolina on Thursday at 1 p.m. at Bobcat stadium, with live coverage on ESPN+.
Troy (33-21, 13-11 SBC) comes to the tournament as the number five seed after dropping its last two series against South Alabama and Louisiana.
Earlier this week, two Trojans earned an All-Conference nod as second basemen Taylor McKinney and shortstop Audra Thompson were named to the All-Sun Belt Second Team. For McKinney, this is the second consecutive nod she's earned from the league's 12 head coaches, while Thompson landed on the All-Conference list for the first time in her career.
McKinney through league play has led the Trojans offensively with a .354 clip with a 1.091 OPS. The Montgomery, Ala., native had recorded 15 extra-base hits – seven doubles, two triples and six home runs.
Thompson has had herself a season setting new career highs in runs, hits, doubles, home runs and RBIs. The senior shortstop has 99 putouts with 78 assists on a .973 fielding percentage. Thompson has picked up 13 extra-base hits – six doubles and seven home runs.
The Trojan offensive has proven to be impressive all season long, with wins over ranked opponents Louisiana and Texas State. Troy leads the league in walks with 189 walks and is third in runs (297), hits (420), and RBIs (266).
Jade Sinness and Libby Baker head up the Trojan offense with .355 and .348 batting averages. The senior duo account for 38 extra-base hits-17 doubles and 21 home runs.
Baker also leads the Troy pitching staff as its ace. The Skipperville, Ala, native finished the regular season with a 3.65 ERA, 14 wins, one shutout, and 11 complete games. This season the senior pitcher has set new career highs in wins, complete games, innings pitched and appearances.
Troy opened conference play with the number four-seeded Coastal Carolina earlier this season. The weekend series against the Chanticleers resulted in Troy clinching its first series win of the season 2-1. The Trojans dropped the Friday night game 7-4 before bouncing back on Saturday 13-12 and Sunday 8-6.
