Troy University Athletics
Troy University
Virginia Tech
No. 18 Troy Set for Ranked Matchup at No. 25 Virginia Tech
4/8/2025 2:23:00 PM | Baseball
BLACKSBURG, Va. - No. 18 Troy is set for a ranked matchup in the midweek, as the Trojans are slated to play No. 25 Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va., on Wednesday.
The Trojans' first-ever meeting with the Hokies comes after Troy took a series from Old Dominion in Norfolk, Va., over the weekend. Troy won 7-0 on Friday and 4-3 on Saturday before dropping the series finale 9-5 on Sunday. After the midweek battle in Blacksburg, the Trojans will remain in Virginia for a Sun Belt series at James Madison Friday-Sunday.
The top of the Troy lineup has been a catalyst to the Trojans scoring 8.0 runs per game this season. Leadoff hitter Steven Meier leads the Sun Belt Conference in HBPs (17) and has a .500 on-base percentage, while first baseman Blake Cavill ranks fourth nationally in walks (36) and 12th in on-base percentage (.541) behind him in the two-spot.
Cavill crushed a two-run home run in Friday's win, his third of the season, while freshman Jimmy Janicki crushed his second homer of the year in Saturday's win. Janicki has split time at third base and designated hitter and has been swinging a hot bat since conference play began with a .344 batting average in Sun Belt games.
Junior left-hander Drew Nelson is slated to make his eighth start of the season against the Hokies. Nelson boasts a 3-0 record and a 4.80 ERA in 30.0 innings pitched, having tallied 24 strikeouts with 14 walks and a .263 opponent batting average.
Gameday Info
The Matchup: No. 18 Troy (24-9, 8-4 Sun Belt) at No. 25 Virginia Tech (22-10, 9-6 ACC)
Date: Wednesday, April 9
Game Time: 5 p.m. CT
Location: Blacksburg, Va. - English Field
TV: ACC Network Xtra
Radio: Troy Sports Radio Network
Live Stats: TroyStats.com
Probable Starters
Troy: Drew Nelson (3-0, 30.0 IP, 4.80 ERA), LHP, Jr.
Virginia Tech: Chase Swift (1-1, 16.0 IP, 2.25 ERA), LHP, Fr.
Quick Hitters
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Troy was ranked in all five major polls this week, topping at No. 18 in the Perfect Game Top 25. The Trojans were also ranked No. 19 in the NCBWA Top 25, No. 20 by D1Baseball, and No. 21 by Baseball America and the USA Today Coaches Poll.
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Troy has won each of its first eight weekend series for the first time since 2011.
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Troy is one of five teams to win all its weekend series this season, joining Arkansas, Clemson, Texas and UCLA.
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Troy last played an ACC team when they faced Boston College in the 2023 Tuscaloosa Regional. The No. 3 seed Trojans beat the No. 2 seed Eagles 11-10 in the regional opener before falling to the Eagles 4-1 in the losers bracket after an 11-8 loss to No. 1 seed Alabama.
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Troy is 11-27 all-time against current members of the ACC. Excluding Florida State, the Trojans are 8-6 against the rest of the conference. Troy is 2-1 against ACC teams under head coach Skylar Meade.
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Garrett Gainous became the fourth pitcher in Troy history to record 250 career strikeouts with six strikeouts in 7.0 shutout innings on Old Dominion on Friday. He joins Jason Fawcett (425), Shane McCain (273), and Tyler Ray (259).
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Leadoff hitter Steven Meier ranks sixth nationally in HBPs (17) and 12th nationally in runs scored (46).
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First baseman Blake Cavill ranks fourth nationally in walks (36) and 12th in on-base percentage (.541). Cavill is drawing a walk in 24.0% of his plate appearances this season.
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Brooks Bryan leads the Sun Belt Conference in RBIs (44), which is six more than South Alabama's Kyle Morrison for second place (38).
Scouting Virginia Tech
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Virginia Tech enters the matchup with a 22-10 overall record and 9-6 in the ACC. The Hokies were ranked No. 25 in this week's D1Baseball Top 25.
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The Virginia Tech pitching staff owns a 4.45 ERA on the season and ranks 16th nationally with 10.7 strikeouts per nine innings. The Hokies are allowing 8.62 hits per nine innings and 5.04 walks per nine innings.
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Wednesday starter Chase Swift owns a 2.25 ERA in 16.0 innings pitched this season. In seven appearances and four starts, the freshman left-hander has tallied 25 strikeouts, five walks, and a .200 opponent batting average.
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The Virginia Tech offense is hitting .297 as a club while scoring 8.4 runs per game. The Hokies have hit 42 home runs this season.
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Virginia Tech has hit 86 doubles this season, which ranks third nationally.
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The Hokies have three regulars hitting over .300 in Sam Tackett (.394), Jared Davis (.333) and Jackson Cherry (.322). Tackett leads the team in home runs (10) and RBIs (33).
