Troy University Athletics
Thursday, February 13
Troy, Ala.
4:30 p.m.
Troy University
vs
SEMO
Troy Hosts Cardinal Clash
2/12/2025 12:27:00 PM | Softball
TROY, Ala. – Following a 3-2 start to the season at the Trojan Classic, Troy softball welcomes four teams to the Troy Softball Complex for the Cardinal Clash. Southeast Missouri, Eastern Illinois, Western Kentucky and Alabama State travel to Troy after going a combined 3-12 over the season's first weekend.
Taylor McKinney looks to continue her scorching start to the season after hitting three home runs in the first five games. She was named the Sun Belt Conference player of the week after finishing the weekend with seven hits in 15 at-bats – suitable for a 1.700 OPS.
Game Information
What: Cardinal Clash
Date: Feb. 13 | Feb. 14 | Feb. 15 | Feb. 16 | Feb. 16
Time: 4:30 p.m. | 5:30 p.m. | 5:30 p.m. | 11:30 a.m. | 2:30 p.m.
Who: Troy (3-2) vs. SEMO (0-0) | Eastern Illinois (2-3) | Western Kentucky (1-4) | Eastern Illinois | Alabama State (0-5)
Location: Troy Softball Complex - Troy, Ala.
First Weekend in the Books
Troy opened the season with an up-and-down first weekend, going 3-2 and knocking off the offseason rust. The Trojans secured a win over Central Michigan and two over Tennessee State but couldn't muster up much offense against North Texas and Samford.
The bats got off to a slow start in the first four innings of 2025, as Troy didn't get a hit to start the game against Central Michigan. However, the floodgates opened in the fifth inning of the 7-4 win. Staring at a 2-0 deficit, Cassidy Boltz launched a three-run home run to left-center field to give Troy the lead. The Trojans would hit three more homers in the contests to bury the Chippewas.
Troy's offense carried the momentum to Friday night's 8-2 win over Tennessee State, stealing seven bases to tie the program single-game record for steals. Alyssa Faircloth dealt, pitching six innings of one-run ball. In the first game against the Tigers, McKinney lined her second home run of the day to left-center and hit a double. True freshman Reaghan Oney had a 2-for-2 performance from the plate, drawing two walks and scoring two runs.
On Saturday, Troy lost a 7-3 game to North Texas as the Mean Green held the offense in check. Esmee Ames was a bright spot for Troy, tossing three hitless innings out of the bullpen.
Sunday's doubleheader saw Troy get another win over Tennessee State and drop a game to Samford. McKinney and McKinnon Howard collected three-hit games in the 6-1 victory over the Tigers. McKinney hit her third home run of the season – already half of her 2024 total – and Howard knocked in her first RBI as a Trojan. Ames turned in another strong outing, pitching 6.1 innings and only surrendering one run.
Cardinal Clash Opponents
The Trojans play four teams in the Cardinal Clash, including some familiar faces.
SEMO comes to Troy for the first time since 2020, when they downed the Trojans 13-3. Although the Redhawks haven't started their season yet, they were picked to finish first in the OVC for 2025. In 2024, SEMO made an NCAA Regional appearance.
Eastern Illinois, also a member of the OVC, started its season 2-3 with two wins over Prairie View A&M. The Trojans are 5-1 all-time against the Panthers.
Troy hosts a former Sun Belt Conference member for the second straight weekend. Western Kentucky is playing Troy for the first time since 2020 and brings a 1-4 record to the Troy Softball Complex.
While the Trojans are 18-16 all-time against the Hilltoppers, Western Kentucky holds a nine-game winning streak over Troy.
Finally, a familiar foe in Alabama State makes the trek from Montgomery for the Cardinal Clash. The Hornets are 0-5 this season after losing three games to North Alabama and two to Nicholls. The Trojans are 27-0 all-time against Alabama State.
Cardinal Clash Notes
• Taylor McKinney was awarded her second career Sun Belt Player of the Week nod after slugging three homers – tied for the 11th most in the country – on a 7-for-15 showing at the plate. She also recorded a 1.700 OPS.
• The Trojans tied for the most steals in a single game in program history, with seven against Tennessee State.
• The meeting on Thursday marks the second-ever meeting between SEMO and Troy, with SEMO winning 13-3.
• Against Alabama State, Troy is 27-0 all-time, including a 16-0 record at the Troy Softball Complex.
• Esmee Ames finished the Trojan Classic with a 0.75 ERA in 9.1 innings – the fourth lowest in the SBC while holding opponents to just five hits (the fewest in the SBC).
• Troy pitchers are a perfect 9-for-9 on fielding opportunities through five games.
• Taylor McKinney increased her career batting average to .334, moving her into a tie with Jenny Boyd (2002-04) for the seventh-best in program history.
• Taylor McKinney took sole possession of the second-best career slugging percentage at .600, surpassing Courtney Davis (2007-08).
• Cassidy Boltz sits tied for sixth in the league for RBIs at five and tied for 16th in hits (5).
• McKinnon Howard and Cassidy Boltz are tied for seventh in the SBC, going 2-for-2 on stolen bases.
• Kate Peters recorded her first save of the season against Central Michigan.
• Through 10.1 innings pitched, Alyssa Faircloth struck out nine batters for a 0.9 K/9.
• Taylor McKinney's three homers from the opening weekend is already half her number of homers from 2024 (6).
Taylor McKinney looks to continue her scorching start to the season after hitting three home runs in the first five games. She was named the Sun Belt Conference player of the week after finishing the weekend with seven hits in 15 at-bats – suitable for a 1.700 OPS.
Game Information
What: Cardinal Clash
Date: Feb. 13 | Feb. 14 | Feb. 15 | Feb. 16 | Feb. 16
Time: 4:30 p.m. | 5:30 p.m. | 5:30 p.m. | 11:30 a.m. | 2:30 p.m.
Who: Troy (3-2) vs. SEMO (0-0) | Eastern Illinois (2-3) | Western Kentucky (1-4) | Eastern Illinois | Alabama State (0-5)
Location: Troy Softball Complex - Troy, Ala.
First Weekend in the Books
Troy opened the season with an up-and-down first weekend, going 3-2 and knocking off the offseason rust. The Trojans secured a win over Central Michigan and two over Tennessee State but couldn't muster up much offense against North Texas and Samford.
The bats got off to a slow start in the first four innings of 2025, as Troy didn't get a hit to start the game against Central Michigan. However, the floodgates opened in the fifth inning of the 7-4 win. Staring at a 2-0 deficit, Cassidy Boltz launched a three-run home run to left-center field to give Troy the lead. The Trojans would hit three more homers in the contests to bury the Chippewas.
Troy's offense carried the momentum to Friday night's 8-2 win over Tennessee State, stealing seven bases to tie the program single-game record for steals. Alyssa Faircloth dealt, pitching six innings of one-run ball. In the first game against the Tigers, McKinney lined her second home run of the day to left-center and hit a double. True freshman Reaghan Oney had a 2-for-2 performance from the plate, drawing two walks and scoring two runs.
On Saturday, Troy lost a 7-3 game to North Texas as the Mean Green held the offense in check. Esmee Ames was a bright spot for Troy, tossing three hitless innings out of the bullpen.
Sunday's doubleheader saw Troy get another win over Tennessee State and drop a game to Samford. McKinney and McKinnon Howard collected three-hit games in the 6-1 victory over the Tigers. McKinney hit her third home run of the season – already half of her 2024 total – and Howard knocked in her first RBI as a Trojan. Ames turned in another strong outing, pitching 6.1 innings and only surrendering one run.
Cardinal Clash Opponents
The Trojans play four teams in the Cardinal Clash, including some familiar faces.
SEMO comes to Troy for the first time since 2020, when they downed the Trojans 13-3. Although the Redhawks haven't started their season yet, they were picked to finish first in the OVC for 2025. In 2024, SEMO made an NCAA Regional appearance.
Eastern Illinois, also a member of the OVC, started its season 2-3 with two wins over Prairie View A&M. The Trojans are 5-1 all-time against the Panthers.
Troy hosts a former Sun Belt Conference member for the second straight weekend. Western Kentucky is playing Troy for the first time since 2020 and brings a 1-4 record to the Troy Softball Complex.
While the Trojans are 18-16 all-time against the Hilltoppers, Western Kentucky holds a nine-game winning streak over Troy.
Finally, a familiar foe in Alabama State makes the trek from Montgomery for the Cardinal Clash. The Hornets are 0-5 this season after losing three games to North Alabama and two to Nicholls. The Trojans are 27-0 all-time against Alabama State.
Cardinal Clash Notes
• Taylor McKinney was awarded her second career Sun Belt Player of the Week nod after slugging three homers – tied for the 11th most in the country – on a 7-for-15 showing at the plate. She also recorded a 1.700 OPS.
• The Trojans tied for the most steals in a single game in program history, with seven against Tennessee State.
• The meeting on Thursday marks the second-ever meeting between SEMO and Troy, with SEMO winning 13-3.
• Against Alabama State, Troy is 27-0 all-time, including a 16-0 record at the Troy Softball Complex.
• Esmee Ames finished the Trojan Classic with a 0.75 ERA in 9.1 innings – the fourth lowest in the SBC while holding opponents to just five hits (the fewest in the SBC).
• Troy pitchers are a perfect 9-for-9 on fielding opportunities through five games.
• Taylor McKinney increased her career batting average to .334, moving her into a tie with Jenny Boyd (2002-04) for the seventh-best in program history.
• Taylor McKinney took sole possession of the second-best career slugging percentage at .600, surpassing Courtney Davis (2007-08).
• Cassidy Boltz sits tied for sixth in the league for RBIs at five and tied for 16th in hits (5).
• McKinnon Howard and Cassidy Boltz are tied for seventh in the SBC, going 2-for-2 on stolen bases.
• Kate Peters recorded her first save of the season against Central Michigan.
• Through 10.1 innings pitched, Alyssa Faircloth struck out nine batters for a 0.9 K/9.
• Taylor McKinney's three homers from the opening weekend is already half her number of homers from 2024 (6).
Players Mentioned
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/ Softball
INF
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OF
/ Softball
UTL
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UTL
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P
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