Troy University Athletics
Saturday, February 14
Macon, Ga.
1 p.m.
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Troy Splits Saturday Doubleheader at Mercer
2/14/2026 9:56:00 PM | Baseball
MACON, Ga. - Troy baseball wrapped up its opening weekend at Mercer on Saturday, splitting a doubleheader with a 17-5 run-rule loss before bouncing back with a 19-3 run-rule win in the nightcap to avoid the series sweep.
The Mercer offense started the day hot, picking up 16 hits in the seven-inning game while launching three home runs. Two of the Bears' homers came in the first two innings, as Troy starter Noah Thigpen went 2.2 innings with seven runs - six earned - on four hits and one strikeout.
The Trojans picked up eight hits in the early game, drawing five walks to four strikeouts, but four of their runs came with the game already out of hand as the Bears put up a ten-run sixth inning against the Troy bullpen. Mercer starter Miguel Hugas earned the win while throwing five innings of one-run ball with three hits, one earned run, three walks and one strikeout.
Game Two saw Troy throw the first punch as sophomore Jimmy Janicki took Mercer starter Jackson Gaspard deep off the scoreboard for a two-run homer in the top of the third. It was the start of a career-high five RBI day for the Preseason All-Sun Belt selection, adding an RBI single in the fourth and a two-run single in the fifth.
Troy knocked out Gaspard after 2.1 innings and dominated a Mercer staff that used eight different arms out of the bullpen. The Trojans totaled 16 hits, while Nico Azpilcueta, Steven Meier and Aaron Piasecki each added their first home runs of the season.
The steadiest performer of the day was left fielder Drew Nelson, who went 5-for-8 across the doubleheader, doubling and drawing an HBP in both contests.
Just as dominant for the Trojans in Game Two was the Troy pitching staff that racked up 13 strikeouts in the seven-inning win. Macon, Ga., native Benjamin Stubbs returned to his hometown and struck out six hitters with one earned run across 3.1 innings. Dylan Alonso earned the win out of the bullpen, fanning five in 1.2 scoreless frames. Brock Tapper pitched a 1-2-3 sixth inning before the Bears added two late runs in the seventh against freshman Matt Dill.
Notables
Quotable - Head Coach Skylar Meade
"You will look back at some point inevitably during this year, and say, 'man, that was really good that you won that Sunday Game [Game Three]'. It was never going to be easy. Would we have liked to have two or three? Of course. I don't think people really appreciate what you're walking into. This is a tough place. A really good team. We needed to play better, do some things, and get guys to handle their first opportunities better. We'll learn the pieces quickly against the high level of competition we play."
Next Up
Troy heads to Starkville, Miss., on Tuesday for its first midweek game of the season at Mississippi State.
The Mercer offense started the day hot, picking up 16 hits in the seven-inning game while launching three home runs. Two of the Bears' homers came in the first two innings, as Troy starter Noah Thigpen went 2.2 innings with seven runs - six earned - on four hits and one strikeout.
The Trojans picked up eight hits in the early game, drawing five walks to four strikeouts, but four of their runs came with the game already out of hand as the Bears put up a ten-run sixth inning against the Troy bullpen. Mercer starter Miguel Hugas earned the win while throwing five innings of one-run ball with three hits, one earned run, three walks and one strikeout.
Game Two saw Troy throw the first punch as sophomore Jimmy Janicki took Mercer starter Jackson Gaspard deep off the scoreboard for a two-run homer in the top of the third. It was the start of a career-high five RBI day for the Preseason All-Sun Belt selection, adding an RBI single in the fourth and a two-run single in the fifth.
Troy knocked out Gaspard after 2.1 innings and dominated a Mercer staff that used eight different arms out of the bullpen. The Trojans totaled 16 hits, while Nico Azpilcueta, Steven Meier and Aaron Piasecki each added their first home runs of the season.
The steadiest performer of the day was left fielder Drew Nelson, who went 5-for-8 across the doubleheader, doubling and drawing an HBP in both contests.
Just as dominant for the Trojans in Game Two was the Troy pitching staff that racked up 13 strikeouts in the seven-inning win. Macon, Ga., native Benjamin Stubbs returned to his hometown and struck out six hitters with one earned run across 3.1 innings. Dylan Alonso earned the win out of the bullpen, fanning five in 1.2 scoreless frames. Brock Tapper pitched a 1-2-3 sixth inning before the Bears added two late runs in the seventh against freshman Matt Dill.
Notables
- Troy's 16 hits in Game Two were its most since March 16, 2025, in an 18-14 loss to Louisiana. The Trojans recorded 16 or more hits three times last season.
- Troy's four home runs were its most since a 10-8 win at Florida A&M on March 26, 2025. The Trojans hit four or more home runs twice last season.
- The Troy pitching staff recorded 13 strikeouts in Game Two. The Trojans recorded 13 or more strikeouts 13 times last season.
- While Troy lost the series, the Trojans won the series finale. Troy is 36-23 in series finales under Skylar Meade.
- Aaron Piasecki's three walks in Game Two were a career high. His home run in Game Two was his first as a Trojan.
- Jimmy Janicki's five RBI's in Game Two are a career high.
- Sean Darnell extended his hitting streak to 11 games dating back to last season after recording a hit in both games.
- Steven Meier's four RBIs in Game Two tied his career high.
- Nico Azpilcueta's home run in Game Two was his first as a Trojan.
- Drew Nelson's three hits in Game Two are a career high.
Quotable - Head Coach Skylar Meade
"You will look back at some point inevitably during this year, and say, 'man, that was really good that you won that Sunday Game [Game Three]'. It was never going to be easy. Would we have liked to have two or three? Of course. I don't think people really appreciate what you're walking into. This is a tough place. A really good team. We needed to play better, do some things, and get guys to handle their first opportunities better. We'll learn the pieces quickly against the high level of competition we play."
Next Up
Troy heads to Starkville, Miss., on Tuesday for its first midweek game of the season at Mississippi State.
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Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Hugas, Miguel (1-0)
L: Thigpen, Noah (0-1)
Batting:
2B: Nelson, Drew 1 ; Azpilcueta, Nico 1
RBI: Darnell, Sean 1 ; Azpilcueta, Nico 1 ; Janicki, Jimmy 1
SF: Darnell, Sean 1 ; Janicki, Jimmy 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Nelson, Drew 1 ; Pyne, Josh 1 ; Book, Nolan 1 ; Azpilcueta, Nico 1 ; Kuehl, Dillon 1
HBP: Janicki, Jimmy 1
Batting:
2B: Kamaka, Titan 1 ; LaPointe, Dylan 1 ; Baughcum, Brant 1
HR: Stephens, Eli 2 ; Shepherd, Logan 2
RBI: Stephens, Eli 4 ; Shepherd, Logan 3 ; Graziano, Michael 1 ; Kersey, Braydon 1 ; Kamaka, Titan 3 ; Baughcum, Brant 3
Base Running:
RUNS: Stephens, Eli 2 ; Shepherd, Logan 3 ; Graziano, Michael 1 ; Kersey, Braydon 1 ; Kamaka, Titan 2 ; Katz, Chris 1 ; LaPointe, Dylan 3 ; Baughcum, Brant 2 ; McEachron, Devyn 2
CS: Graziano, Michael 1
HBP: LaPointe, Dylan 3 ; Baughcum, Brant 1
Game Leaders
AB
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RBI
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AB
4
R
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H
2
RBI
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AB
2
R
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H
1
RBI
0
Players Mentioned
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