Troy University Athletics
Troy Softball Positional Previews: Upperclassmen
2/5/2025 11:13:00 AM | Softball
TROY, Ala. – While the Troy softball team may have lost a lot of experienced players from last year's roster, there are still plenty of seasoned veterans on the squad. The Trojans have nine upperclassmen on the 2025 roster, including five seniors and four juniors.
Seniors
Troy has five seniors on the roster, four of whom have returned from last season's team in Taylor McKinney, Cassidy Boltz, Natalie Turner and Sarah Beth Brake.
"In most cases, your seniors are the heartbeat of the team," Newell said. "Even though we have five, they're a pretty influential five."
After highlighting Troy's softball team for three years, McKinney is back for her senior year. The star second baseman has garnered lots of preseason recognition heading into 2025 after impressing in every facet of the game last season.
D1 Softball put McKinney on its radar, naming her the Sun Belt Conference Preseason Player of the Year. The publication also tabbed her as the No. 10 second baseman in the nation.
The Montgomery native was consistent at the plate, on the basepaths and in the field. McKinney had a .994 OPS, six home runs, 10 stolen bases and a .949 fielding percentage to become the lone Trojan on the Preseason All-Sun Belt Team.
Infielder Boltz is back after starting 42 games for the Trojans last season. Boltz had a .905 OPS in her first season as a Trojan, logging seven multi-RBI games. She finished the season with 32 RBIs and a .543 slugging percentage.
After starting all 56 games for Troy last season, Turner returns as a key piece of the Trojans infield. Turner swiped 14 bags in 15 attempts, which ranked 12th in the Sun Belt. She also turned nine double plays.
Another key returner for Troy is starting catcher Beth Brake. In 2024, Brake started 44 games. The senior backstop crushed eight home runs in just 87 at-bats last season. Behind the dish, she threw out 87 percent of attempted base stealers.
Annie Orman is a senior outfielder who transferred to the Trojans after three years at Ole Miss. Although the Trojans' entire 2024 outfield graduated, Orman brings SEC experience and plenty of talent to Troy.
Last season, Orman appeared in 42 games for the Rebels and started 15 games. She racked up 14 RBIs and blasted a clutch two-run home run to tie the game in an eventual win over rival Mississippi State.
Juniors
The Trojans have four juniors on the team – two returners (Kate Peters, Kayden Dunn) and two newcomers (Esmee Ames, Megan Loftis). All of them look set to contribute to the 2025 squad.
"Kate has looked good so far as a junior, and Sissy has been behind the shadows of Libby Baker the past few years but has been waiting in the wings," Newell said. "Megan is possibly the fastest player on our roster, and Esmee will give us great depth from the circle."
Pitcher Peters – who is a redshirt junior – appeared in 14 games last season, pitching to the tune of a 3.26 ERA. Peters struck out 10 batters in 19.1 innings.
As a transfer from Central Florida, outfielder Loftis brings excellent speed and contact tools to Troy. Loftis batted .493 and stole 75 bases last season, earning NJCAA D-I All-American honors.
Dunn started 29 games and appeared in 47 last year for Troy, finishing with a 1.023 OPS in limited at-bats. Dunn led Troy with 199 putouts and posted a .986 fielding percentage.
Ames, a pitcher from Haarlem, Netherlands, brings championship experience to Troy. During her two years at Florida Southwestern State, the Buccaneers won two straight NJCAA championships. Ames struck out 147 batters in 142.2 innings last season, finishing 2024 with a 1.96 ERA.
The Trojans – led by their upperclassmen – will take the field on Feb. 7 against Central Michigan and Tennessee State.
Seniors
Troy has five seniors on the roster, four of whom have returned from last season's team in Taylor McKinney, Cassidy Boltz, Natalie Turner and Sarah Beth Brake.
"In most cases, your seniors are the heartbeat of the team," Newell said. "Even though we have five, they're a pretty influential five."
After highlighting Troy's softball team for three years, McKinney is back for her senior year. The star second baseman has garnered lots of preseason recognition heading into 2025 after impressing in every facet of the game last season.
D1 Softball put McKinney on its radar, naming her the Sun Belt Conference Preseason Player of the Year. The publication also tabbed her as the No. 10 second baseman in the nation.
The Montgomery native was consistent at the plate, on the basepaths and in the field. McKinney had a .994 OPS, six home runs, 10 stolen bases and a .949 fielding percentage to become the lone Trojan on the Preseason All-Sun Belt Team.
Infielder Boltz is back after starting 42 games for the Trojans last season. Boltz had a .905 OPS in her first season as a Trojan, logging seven multi-RBI games. She finished the season with 32 RBIs and a .543 slugging percentage.
After starting all 56 games for Troy last season, Turner returns as a key piece of the Trojans infield. Turner swiped 14 bags in 15 attempts, which ranked 12th in the Sun Belt. She also turned nine double plays.
Another key returner for Troy is starting catcher Beth Brake. In 2024, Brake started 44 games. The senior backstop crushed eight home runs in just 87 at-bats last season. Behind the dish, she threw out 87 percent of attempted base stealers.
Annie Orman is a senior outfielder who transferred to the Trojans after three years at Ole Miss. Although the Trojans' entire 2024 outfield graduated, Orman brings SEC experience and plenty of talent to Troy.
Last season, Orman appeared in 42 games for the Rebels and started 15 games. She racked up 14 RBIs and blasted a clutch two-run home run to tie the game in an eventual win over rival Mississippi State.
Juniors
The Trojans have four juniors on the team – two returners (Kate Peters, Kayden Dunn) and two newcomers (Esmee Ames, Megan Loftis). All of them look set to contribute to the 2025 squad.
"Kate has looked good so far as a junior, and Sissy has been behind the shadows of Libby Baker the past few years but has been waiting in the wings," Newell said. "Megan is possibly the fastest player on our roster, and Esmee will give us great depth from the circle."
Pitcher Peters – who is a redshirt junior – appeared in 14 games last season, pitching to the tune of a 3.26 ERA. Peters struck out 10 batters in 19.1 innings.
As a transfer from Central Florida, outfielder Loftis brings excellent speed and contact tools to Troy. Loftis batted .493 and stole 75 bases last season, earning NJCAA D-I All-American honors.
Dunn started 29 games and appeared in 47 last year for Troy, finishing with a 1.023 OPS in limited at-bats. Dunn led Troy with 199 putouts and posted a .986 fielding percentage.
Ames, a pitcher from Haarlem, Netherlands, brings championship experience to Troy. During her two years at Florida Southwestern State, the Buccaneers won two straight NJCAA championships. Ames struck out 147 batters in 142.2 innings last season, finishing 2024 with a 1.96 ERA.
The Trojans – led by their upperclassmen – will take the field on Feb. 7 against Central Michigan and Tennessee State.
Players Mentioned
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