Several things to touch on today.

First, Troy picked up two commitments and, unfortunately, seemed to have lost one over the weekend.

The Trojans added a pair of defensive ends in Derrek Upshaw and Jamal Stadom. Upshaw is a JUCO guy that can help right away. He is 6-2, 270 out of Jones County Junior College. He recorded 45 tackles including five sacks last season.

Stadom is 6-1, 224 from Melbourne High School (FL) and will have some learning to do but is a nice addition at least depth wise.

Bad news for the Trojans is that several sources are reporting WR Cody Core (Auburn HS) has de-committed to Troy and committed to Ole Miss after his visit this past weekend. I’m sure the Troy coaching staff will use these last few days to get their foot back in the door and make sure Core is solid on his commitment so there is a chance Troy could still get him.

National Signing Day is Wednesday and Troy has a nice class put together if they can get the names on the dotted line.

***UPDATE*** – Had an extra second between high school stories so I dug around a little on Cody Core switching his commitment to Ole Miss. Word on the street is Troy still has a great opportunity to snag Core on Wednesday. His father played for Larry Blakeney as a tight end from 1992-94. Plus, Ole Miss was late to the table on Core. He kept his commitment with the Trojans even after visits to North Carolina and Kentucky. While nothing is certain until his NOI comes across someone’s fax, I haven’t read anything (social media, recruiting sites, etc.) quoting him with a commitment switch. Ahhhh, the anticipation.

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Troy’s basketball team lost a tough game on Sunday as South Alabama hit a shot with one second remaining to sink the Trojans, 68-66. Troy made showed great effort, fighting back from a 20-point second half deficit. The difference in the game was without a doubt the lopsided free throw totals in the first half. South Alabama attempted 21 FTs while the Trojans went to the line a grand total of ZERO times. NONE! Troy, who typically is pretty laid back as a team, was called for three technical fouls on the night.

The women’s team was down right awful. Granted they have been battling injuries all season but that doesn’t hold much water when the halftime score in a Division I basketball game (played with 20 min halves mind you) is 32-9. The Trojans scored nine points in 20 minutes. I’ll leave it at that.

Troy plays FIU on Thursday at Sartain. Women play at 5:15 p.m., Men at 7:30. The men have a good shot at beating the Golden Panthers while the women obviously have some work to do.

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Troy baseball began practice last week. Talked to coaches Bobby Pierce and Mark Smartt today for another story I’m doing but I asked about Logan Pierce overall and what we can expect from him and both coaches felt he would be a lot more comfortable this season. Bobby Pierce felt like he may have been pressing a bit too much last season. He have tried to overproduce playing under his father at the college level.

Troy feels real good about their Friday and Saturday starters but are still looking for someone to step up in the Sunday role. They feel they have a couple of guys with the ability to get the job done but are waiting for that person to solidify himself over the others.

Blake Martz will DH again this season and serve as backup catcher to transfer Brandon Brown. Brown hit .367 with 14 RBIs and 24 runs scored at Middle Georgia College last season and started 18 games at catcher, hitting .356 in 71 at-bats at Kennesaw State his freshman season.

Pierce said he feels Martz is as ready behind the plate as he has been in his time at Troy but the coaches like him in the DH role as of now.

Troy opens the 2012 season Feb. 17 at home against Central Michigan.