Troy University Athletics

No. 18 Troy Faces UAB in Rickwood College Classic at Historic Rickwood Field
3/17/2025 5:45:00 PM | Baseball
TROY, Ala. - Following a 2-1 series victory at Louisiana to open Sun Belt Conference play, No. 18 Troy will head to historic Rickwood Field in Birmingham to take on UAB in the Rickwood College Classic on Tuesday.
Rickwood Field, the oldest professional baseball park in the country, was built in 1910 and was home to the Birmingham Black Barons of the Negro Leagues from 1920-1960. 118 Hall of Famers have graced the diamond at Rickwood Field, including the likes of Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, Satchel Page and Jackie Robinson.
Last summer, Major League Baseball hosted a special regular season game between the San Francisco Giants and St. Louis Cardinals at Rickwood Field as a tribute to the Negro Leagues. Tuesday's matchup between Troy and UAB is believed to be the first-ever matchup between two Division I college baseball teams at the historic stadium. UAB faced Birmingham Southern at Rickwood in 2022 and 2023.Â
The Trojans opened conference play with a 2-1 weekend at Louisiana, getting monster weekends at the plate from catcher Brooks Bryan and outfielder Gavin Schrader, who each hit two home runs. Bryan tallied six RBIs on the weekend to bring his season total to a Sun Belt-leading 34 RBIs, while Schrader brought in five runs while recording six hits with a double and a triple to pair with his two homers.
Senior left-hander Jacob Roettgen will take the mound for the Trojans. The Jefferson City, Mo., native made his lone appearance of the season against UAB on February 26, earning the start and pitching 2.0 scoreless innings with one hit, one walk and two strikeouts.Â
Tuesday will be the Trojans' second matchup against the Blazers this season. Troy topped UAB 7-4 at Riddle-Pace Field on February 26.Â
ÂGameday Info
The Matchup: No. 25 Troy (15-5, 2-1 Sun Belt) at UAB (14-6, 0-0 American)
Game Time: 1 p.m.
Location: Birmingham, Ala. - Rickwood Field
Radio: Troy Sports Network
Live Stats: TroyStats.com
ÂProbable Starters
Troy: Jacob Roettgen (2.0 IP, 0.00 ERA), LHP, Sr.
UAB: Braxton Shelton (18.0 IP, 8.00 ERA), RHP, Jr.
ÂQuick Hitters
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Troy was ranked No. 18 in the NCBWA Top 25 for the second consecutive week, 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 remains at No. 25 through five 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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Troy has hit 28 home runs this season, ranking second in the Sun Belt Conference. All 28 have come against a right-handed pitcher.
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 Troy has each of the Sun Belt's top three RBI producers.
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Brooks Bryan (1st - 34)
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Blake Cavill (2nd - 24)
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Sean Darnell (T-3rd - 23)
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Leadoff hitter Steven Meier ranks third in the nation in runs scored (34) and leads Sun Belt in stolen bases (13). Meier also ranks second in the Sun Belt in hits (31) , third in doubles (9), third in HBPs (10) and fourth in batting average (.419).
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First baseman Blake Cavill ranks third in the nation in walks (27) and eighth in on-base percentage (.592). Cavill also ranks second in the Sun Belt in RBIs (24).
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Cavill and Meier have been two of the most valuable players in college baseball according to Synergy's wins above replacement, as they're tied for 16th in the nation in WAR (1.93).
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The Troy offense has been one of the most patient in the country. The Trojans have drawn 132 walks this season, which ranks eighth in college baseball.Â
Scouting UAB
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UAB enters with a 14-6 record under fourth-year head coach Casey Dunn.
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The Blazers are hitting .277 as a team. They've hit eight home runs and are scoring 7.2 runs per game.
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Todd Clay leads the way with a .455 batting average, ranking 20th nationally,Â
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The UAB pitching staff owns a 4.55 ERA on the season, with 8.79 hits allowed per nine innings and 8.4 strikeouts per nine innings.
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Tuesday starter Braxton Shelton has made five appearances and four starts this season. The junior right-hander owns an 8.00 ERA in 18.0 innings pitched with 12 strikeouts, 11 walks and a .333 opponent batting average.Â
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Shelton started against Troy in the February 26 matchup, going 2.2 innings with five hits, four earned runs, two walks and one strikeout.Â
Series History
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Troy took a 32-31 all-time series lead with a win 7-4 win over UAB on February 26.
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Troy has won each of its previous three matchups against UAB.
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The Trojans are 3-1 against the Blazers under head coach Skylar Meade.