Troy University Athletics
Friday, February 13
Troy, Ala.
2 p.m.
Troy University
vs
Central Arkansas
Troy Preps for Cardinal Clash
2/12/2026 2:29:00 PM | Softball
TROY, Ala. – After starting the season 4-1 at the Trojan Classic, the Troy softball team looks to build on an explosive weekend of offense with the Cardinal Clash.
The Trojans (4-1) welcome Central Arkansas (3-2), IU Indy (3-2) and Radford (0-0) to the Troy Softball Complex for another full weekend. After the first weekend, the Trojans scored 48 runs in just five games – Troy's .452 team batting average and .535 on-base percentage were good for second and third in the nation before midweek games around the country.
"We are excited to play again on our home field in front of our fans and are looking forward to a competitive weekend," said head coach Eric Newell. "We have spent the last few days preparing for IU Indy, UCA and Radford and know that we'll need to play well in all aspects of the game in order to have a successful weekend."
Game Information
What: Cardinal Clash
Date: Feb. 13 | Feb. 13 | Feb. 14 | Feb. 14 | Feb. 15
Times: 2 p.m. | 5:30 p.m. | 2 p.m. | 5:30 p.m. | 1 p.m.
Who: Central Arkansas | IU Indy | IU Indy | Radford | Central Arkansas
Location: Troy, Ala. – Troy Softball Complex
Watch: ESPN+ for Troy games on Feb. 13 and Feb. 15
Trojan Classic Recap
Troy's high-octane offense started off the season 4-1 with four run-rule wins. The lineup's top four in Kyye Ricks, Makaley Boswell, Kiley Huffman and Ella Cunningham shined, combining for 11 of Troy's 16 doubles, which were second in the nation as of Feb. 9. Cunningham logged an RBI in every game so far, going 7-for-13 with seven total RBIs, two walks and a hit-by-pitch.
While the offense stood out, the Trojans benefited from strong pitching performances as well.
Mya Holt worked a five-inning shutout against Chattanooga on Feb. 6, allowing just one hit and tying a career high with three strikeouts. The next day, freshman pitcher Abby Lovell punched out six and allowed just one run against a strong North Alabama lineup. Finally, Esmee Ames struck out a career-high eight batters in a five-inning win over Southern, shattering her previous best of three strikeouts.
Cardinal Clash Opponents
On Friday, the Trojans kickstart the Cardinal Clash with a matchup against Central Arkansas. The Bears were picked to finish third in the ASUN preseason poll, with Kaitlyn Graham making the Preseason All-ASUN squad. In the first weekend, Central Arkansas won three games, taking down South Dakota twice and beating Creighton.
IU Indy also rolls into Troy at 3-2, earning wins over Kent State, Wofford and Monmouth to start the year. Coming out of the Horizon League, the Jaguars were picked to finish second in the conference. Senior infielder Molly Kable powered the team in its first five games, winning Horizon League Player of the Week after swatting two home runs, a triple and a double as part of a 9-for-16 weekend.
While D1 Softball ranked Radford No. 23 in its inaugural Mid-Major Preseason Rankings, the team didn't play after a canceled tournament in week one. The Highlanders were picked to finish first in the Big South heading into the season. The team's ace, Dakota Redmon, was named the Big South Preseason Pitcher of the Year and ranked No. 13 in D1 Softball's Top-100 Mid Major player rankings.
Notables
The Trojans (4-1) welcome Central Arkansas (3-2), IU Indy (3-2) and Radford (0-0) to the Troy Softball Complex for another full weekend. After the first weekend, the Trojans scored 48 runs in just five games – Troy's .452 team batting average and .535 on-base percentage were good for second and third in the nation before midweek games around the country.
"We are excited to play again on our home field in front of our fans and are looking forward to a competitive weekend," said head coach Eric Newell. "We have spent the last few days preparing for IU Indy, UCA and Radford and know that we'll need to play well in all aspects of the game in order to have a successful weekend."
Game Information
What: Cardinal Clash
Date: Feb. 13 | Feb. 13 | Feb. 14 | Feb. 14 | Feb. 15
Times: 2 p.m. | 5:30 p.m. | 2 p.m. | 5:30 p.m. | 1 p.m.
Who: Central Arkansas | IU Indy | IU Indy | Radford | Central Arkansas
Location: Troy, Ala. – Troy Softball Complex
Watch: ESPN+ for Troy games on Feb. 13 and Feb. 15
Trojan Classic Recap
Troy's high-octane offense started off the season 4-1 with four run-rule wins. The lineup's top four in Kyye Ricks, Makaley Boswell, Kiley Huffman and Ella Cunningham shined, combining for 11 of Troy's 16 doubles, which were second in the nation as of Feb. 9. Cunningham logged an RBI in every game so far, going 7-for-13 with seven total RBIs, two walks and a hit-by-pitch.
While the offense stood out, the Trojans benefited from strong pitching performances as well.
Mya Holt worked a five-inning shutout against Chattanooga on Feb. 6, allowing just one hit and tying a career high with three strikeouts. The next day, freshman pitcher Abby Lovell punched out six and allowed just one run against a strong North Alabama lineup. Finally, Esmee Ames struck out a career-high eight batters in a five-inning win over Southern, shattering her previous best of three strikeouts.
Cardinal Clash Opponents
On Friday, the Trojans kickstart the Cardinal Clash with a matchup against Central Arkansas. The Bears were picked to finish third in the ASUN preseason poll, with Kaitlyn Graham making the Preseason All-ASUN squad. In the first weekend, Central Arkansas won three games, taking down South Dakota twice and beating Creighton.
IU Indy also rolls into Troy at 3-2, earning wins over Kent State, Wofford and Monmouth to start the year. Coming out of the Horizon League, the Jaguars were picked to finish second in the conference. Senior infielder Molly Kable powered the team in its first five games, winning Horizon League Player of the Week after swatting two home runs, a triple and a double as part of a 9-for-16 weekend.
While D1 Softball ranked Radford No. 23 in its inaugural Mid-Major Preseason Rankings, the team didn't play after a canceled tournament in week one. The Highlanders were picked to finish first in the Big South heading into the season. The team's ace, Dakota Redmon, was named the Big South Preseason Pitcher of the Year and ranked No. 13 in D1 Softball's Top-100 Mid Major player rankings.
Notables
- Troy is 1-0 all-time against Central Arkansas and 4-2 against Radford
- The Trojans will be taking on IU Indy for the first time in program history
- Troy is 25-11 in home tournaments under head coach Eric Newell
- After the first weekend, Troy is top 10 in the nation in eight categories, including steals (17) and sacrifice flies (4)
- The Trojans were second in the country with a .452 team batting average, and third with a .535 on-base percentage after the first weekend
- After crushing a home run and drawing six walks in the Trojan Classic, Sophia Jenkins is second in the nation with a .909 on-base percentage -- her 1.667 slugging percentage is good for fourth in the country, and her 1.5 walks per game is 10th
- Makaley Boswell scored eight runs in the opening weekend, tied for the most in the Sun Belt Conference and 22nd in the nation
- Two Trojans led the Sun Belt in K/7 after the weekend -- Esmee Ames leads the conference with 11.1, and Abby Lovell is right behind with 8
- Troy has four players on a five-game hit streak to start the season: Kyye Ricks, Kiley Huffman, Ella Cunningham and Dailynn Motes have each hit safely in every game so far
- In the Trojan Classic, Troy won three consecutive run-rule games for the first time since doing it on Mar. 8-12 against UMass and Alabama A&M
- After being named Sun Belt Conference Freshman of the Year by D1 Softball, Abby Lovell earned her first career win and save in the first weekend, punching out six in five innings against North Alabama and allowing just one hit in two innings against Middle Tennessee
Players Mentioned
P
/ Softball
UTL
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
INF
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
UTL
/ Softball
OF
/ SoftballBaseball Position Preview - Pitchers
Thursday, February 12
Scott Cross Postgame (Texas State)
Thursday, February 12
Baseball Position Preview - Outfielders
Wednesday, February 11
Baseball Position Preview - Infielders/Catchers
Tuesday, February 10