Troy Hosts Alabama State in Midweek Action

Tuesday, March 31

Troy, Ala.

6 p.m.

Troy University

Alabama State

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Troy Hosts Alabama State in Midweek Action

3/30/2026 5:56:00 PM | Baseball

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By: Troy Athletics Communications

TROY, Ala. - Troy Baseball returns home to Riddle-Pace Field on Tuesday as the Trojans are set to host Alabama State.

The Trojans are coming off a 1-2 weekend at Georgia Southern, dropping the first two games before avoiding the sweep with an 11-5 win on Sunday. Meier started off the weekend by hitting for the cycle, while Sean Darnell was a key producer in Sunday's win, drawing two walks while adding a three-run homer.

The Trojans met the Hornets two weeks ago on March 17, with Troy winning on the road in Montgomery 11-2. In the first meeting, Jimmy Janicki hit a double and a triple, Houston Markham doubled twice, while Steven Meier homered. On the mound, freshman Matt Dill gave Troy a strong start with four innings of one-run ball with three strikeouts.

Dill will start once again for the Trojans after a strong showing in each of his first two midweek starts. The righty's 3.07 ERA on the season leads the team, and he's allowed just two earned in his two starts against Alabama State and Samford across 7.0 innings, striking out five hitters without a walk.

Alabama State enters the weekend at 12–14 after being swept by Florida A&M, a team Troy defeated 7-4 last Wednesday. The Hornets are hitting .251 as a team and are led by Miguel Orpeza at .376 and Breydon Divine at .305. On the mound, Alabama State owns a 6.20 team ERA and is striking out 7.4 hitters with 5.24 walks per nine innings.

Game Information
The Matchup: Troy (12-16, 4-5 Sun Belt) vs. Alabama State (12-14, 3-6 SWAC)
Gametime: Tuesday, March 31 - 6 p.m.
Location: Troy, Ala. - Riddle-Pace Field
TV: ESPN+
Radio: Troy Sports Radio Network
Live Stats: TroyTrojans.com/LiveStats

On the Mound
Alabama State: Sr. LHP Caleb Sanders (0-0, 12.0 IP, 6.75 ERA)
Troy: Fr. RHP Matt Dill (2-1, 14.2 IP, 3.07 ERA)

Stevie Cycles
Troy centerfielder Steven Meier hit for the third cycle in Troy history at Georgia Southern on Friday night, doing so in just four plate appearances. Meier led off the third inning with a triple off the centerfield wall before launching a 439-foot homer to right, the furthest of his Troy career, in the fourth. Meier then doubled into the right-center gap in the seventh before working a full count and singling to right in the top of the ninth.

Meier joins Miles Hoyle against Memphis (Feb. 28, 2009) and Danny Collins against Florida A&M (Feb. 16, 2013) as the only Trojans to hit for the cycle.

QAB Machine
Troy utilityman Aaron Piasecki has been the toughest hitter to strike out in the Sun Belt Conference this season, as his 7.8% strikeout rate is the best mark in the league. Piasecki has walked twice the amount of times as he's struck out this season, drawing 20 walks to 10 strikeouts. He's one of just two hitters in the Sun Belt, along with Marshall's Bryce Blaser, with a BB:K ratio of 2:1 or better.

Series History
Troy leads the all-time series with Alabama State 36-4 and has won 18 straight against the Hornets dating back to 2016. The Trojans are 8-0 against Alabama State under head coach Skylar Meade, and won their first matchup this season, 11-2, on March 17.