Troy University Athletics
Troy University
Jacksonville State
No. 18 Troy Heads to Jacksonville State for In-State Matchup
3/10/2025 5:41:00 PM | Baseball
TROY, Ala. - No. 18 Troy is set for an in-state midweek battle, as they'll head to Jacksonville, Ala., to take on Jacksonville State on Tuesday.
The Trojans are in the midst of a nine-game road swing and are coming off a 2-1 series win at USC Upstate over the weekend. Leadoff hitter Steven Meier leads the Trojans' offense with a .441 batting average and is leading the nation with 31 runs scored while leading the Sun Belt with 11 stolen bases.
First baseman Blake Cavill has been productive in the three-hole, drawing the fourth most walks in the nation (22) while ranking 12th in on-base percentage (.601). Catcher Brooks Bryan is off to a hot start to the season, leading the Sun Belt in RBIs (28) after setting the Troy record with 85 a season ago.
Adam Falinski takes the mound for the Trojans after starting Troy's last three Tuesday games at SEC-foes Auburn, Mississippi State and Alabama. The senior right-hander has a 4.76 ERA on the season, with a 4.26 ERA in his three starts.
Gameday Info
The Matchup: No. 18 Troy (13-3, 0-0 Sun Belt) at Jacksonville State (10-6, 0-0 C-USA)
When: Tuesday, March 10, 2025
Location: Jacksonville, Ala. - Rudy Abbott Field
TV: ESPN+
Radio: Troy Sports Network
Live Stats: TroyStats.com
Probable Starters
Troy: Adam Falinski (13.2 IP, 4.76 ERA), RHP, Sr.
Jax State: James Wilson (9.0 IP, 1.00 ERA), RHP, R-So.
Quick Hitters
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Troy was ranked No. 18 in the latest NCBWA Top 25, which is tied for the highest ranking in Troy's Division I history (2011).
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Troy entered the season ranked No. 25 in the D1Baseball Top 25 and has moved up to No. 21 after four weeks. It was the first time in Troy's Division I history that they entered the season ranked in the Top 25.
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Leadoff hitter Steven Meier leads the nation in runs scored (31) and the Sun Belt in stolen bases (11). Meier also ranks second in the Sun Belt in batting average (.441), hits (26). doubles (8) and HBPs (7).
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First baseman Blake Cavill ranks fourth in the nation in walks (22) and 12th in on-base percentage (.601). Cavill also ranks second in the Sun Belt in RBIs (22) and is third in batting average (.412).
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Meier and Cavill have been two of the most valuable players in college baseball according to Synergy's wins above replacement. Meier ranks sixth in the nation in WAR (1.83) and Cavill ranks 14th (1.64).
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Cavill and Meier have both reached bases safely in their last 23 games, dating back to last season.
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Brooks Bryan leads the Sun Belt and ranks 10th nationally in RBIs (28). Bryan's run producing ability comes as no surprise, as he set the Troy record with 85 RBIs last season. This season, Bryan is batting .448 with runners in scoring position.
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Garrett Gainous and Grayson Stewart are climbing the Troy all-time leaderboards in wins and strikeouts. Gainous ranks tenth in wins (18) and fifth in strikeouts (226) while Stewart is tied for eighth in wins (20) and ranks seventh in strikeouts (221).
Scouting Jacksonville State
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The Gamecocks enter with a 10-6 record under second-year coach Steve Bieser.
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Speed has been the name of the game for Jax State, leading the nation in triples (11) while ranking 24th in stolen bases (36).
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Jax State is hitting .267 as a team and is scoring 7.1 runs per game. Colton Hegwood leads the way with a .436 batting average.
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The Gamecocks are pitching to a 5.82 ERA as a team with 7.2 strikeouts per nine innings.
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Tuesday starter James Wilson owns a 1.00 through four appearances and 9.0 innings. He's allowed eight hits with eight strikeouts and six walks.
