Troy University Athletics
Troy University
Texas State
No. 15 Troy Hosts Texas State in Sun Belt Action
4/24/2025 4:27:00 PM | Baseball
TROY, Ala. - No. 15 Troy is back at Riddle-Pace Field this weekend for a three-game Sun Belt series against Texas State.Â
The Trojans are one of three teams in college baseball this season to win each of their first ten weekend series and are coming off a 2-1 series victory over ULM last weekend. The Trojans took game one 9-3 behind a three-hit performance from catcher Brooks Bryan before picking up an 11-1 run-rule victory in game two behind a complete game from Noah Edders and a seven-run first inning.
On Tuesday, Troy defeated Alabama State 12-10 in Montgomery, Ala., with Bryan and Gavin Schrader each going yard in the fourth inning. Freshman Houston Markham went 2-for-5 with a walk against the Hornets. The left-handed hitting outfielder is batting .375 in his last four games since moving into the leadoff spot in the series opener against ULM.
Blake Cavill has been one of Troy's hottest hitters in April, leading the team with four home runs this month. The Australian first baseman tallied three hits, including his first career triple, at Alabama State on Tuesday and is among the nation's leaders in walks (6th - 44) and on-base percentage (.524).Â
On the mound, freshman Noah Thigpen will make his first weekend start for the Trojans in Friday's series opener. Thigpen has pitched for a 3.33 ERA in 24.1 innings this season, having walked just three hitters. Noah Edders will look to continue his hot month of April on Saturday. The junior is 3-0 this month, having posted a 2.21 ERA in his last three starts with 21 strikeouts in 20.1 innings. Head coach Skylar Meade has not announced a starter for Sunday's series finale.Â
ÂGameday Info
The Matchup: No. 15 Troy (29-12, 12-6 Sun Belt) vs. Texas State (20-21, 8-10 Sun Belt)
Game Times: Friday - 6 p.m. | Saturday - 1 p.m. | Sunday - 12 p.m.
Location: Troy, Ala. - Riddle-Pace Field
TV: ESPN+
Radio: Troy Sports Media Network
Live Stats: TroyStats.com
ÂProbable Starters
Game 1
Texas State: Alex Valentin (4-4, 5.33 ERA, 50.1 IP), LHP, So.
Troy: Noah Thigpen (1-1, 3.33 ERA, 24.1 IP), RHP, Fr.
Game 2
Texas State: Jesus Tovar (2-4, 4.79 ERA, 47.0 IP), LHP, R-Jr.
Troy: Noah Edders (5-0, 3.92 ERA, 57.1 IP), RHP, Jr.
Game 3
Texas State: Shane Connell (0-1, 6.75 ERA, 20.0 IP), RHP, Jr.
Troy: TBA
ÂQuick Hitters
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Troy was ranked No. 15 in this week's Baseball America Top 25, which is the highest national ranking in Troy's history as a Division I program.Â
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Troy is one of 11 teams and the only mid-major team in college baseball to have been ranked every week from Preseason to Week 10 in the D1Baseball Top 25.Â
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Troy is one of three teams in college baseball to win all of its weekend series this season, joining Clemson and Texas.Â
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Troy has three of the top ten RBI leaders in the Sun Belt Conference in Brooks Bryan (2nd - 48), Blake Cavill (T-5th - 40) and Sean Darnell (T-10th - 38).Â
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Since moving into the leadoff spot in Game 1 of the ULM series, freshman Houston Markham is batting .375 (6-for-16) in his last four games. Markham is batting .450 (9-for-20) in five total games as the Trojans' leadoff hitter this season.Â
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First baseman Blake Cavill (39) and centerfielder Steven Meier (38) have reached base safely in every game they've appeared in this season. Cavill's on-base streak sits at 46 games dating back to last season and Meier's sits at 45.Â
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Cavill ranks sixth nationally in walks (44) and 20th in on-base percentage (.524). He's drawing a walk in 23.3% of his plate appearances.Â
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Meier leads the Sun Belt with 19 HBPs this season, the third-most in a single season in Troy history. Meier also ranks second in the Sun Belt in runs scored (46) and third in stolen bases (17).Â
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Noah Thigpen will be the first Troy freshman to make a weekend start since Brady Fuller started on all 14 weekends for the Trojans in 2022. He'll be the first freshman to make a Friday start since Garrett Gainous made six Game 1 starts in 2021.
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Game 2 starter Noah Edders ranks third in the Sun Belt with 61 strikeouts this season. Edders has struck out 41 hitters in conference games, which ranks second.
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In three starts in the month of April, Edders is 3-0 and has posted a 2.21 ERA with 12 hits, five walks and 21 strikeouts in 20.1 innings pitched.Â
Scouting Texas State
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Texas State enters the weekend with a 20-21 overall record under sixth-year head coach Steven Trout. The Bobcats are tied with Arkansas State and Old Dominion for eighth place in the Sun Belt standings at 8-10.Â
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The Texas State pitching staff ranks 11th in the Sun Belt Conference with a 6.14 team ERA. The Bobcats lead the Sun Belt in strikeouts per nine innings (9.6) but are also issuing the most walks per nine innings (5.76) while ranking sixth in hits per nine innings (8.91).
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Friday starter Alex Valentin ranks 36th nationally with 6.22 hits allowed per nine innings. Valentin also walks 5.2 hitters per nine innings and has hit the 15th-most batters in college baseball (15).Â
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Closer Carson Laws leads the Sun Belt with seven saves this season. In 16 appearances, the right-hander has a 4.94 ERA with 38 strikeouts, 19 walks and a .248 batting average allowed across 27.1 innings.
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The Texas State offense ranks 13th in the Sun Belt with a .252 batting average. The Bobcats rank 10th in home runs (41) and 12th in runs per game (5.0).Â
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Infielder Chase Mora leads the team in batting average (.300), home runs (6) and RBIs (26).Â
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Infielder Ryne Farber ranks second on the team in batting average (.287) and RBIs (22) while leading the club in on-base percentage (.387), walks (18) and HBPs (12).Â
Series History
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Troy owns a 16-11 all-time record against Texas State.
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Troy dropped last year's series in San Marcos, Texas 2-1. The Trojans won the previous series in Troy 2-1 in 2023.
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Troy has one three of four home series against Texas State, sweeping the Bobcats twice.
