Trojans face rival Jacksonville State in midweek matchup

Published 8:49 pm Monday, April 9, 2012

Sun Belt Conference play has not been kind to the Troy Trojans, who will return home from FIU saddled with three losses and a rough 3-9 conference record.

The Trojans (13-18, 3-9) may have hit a wall against FIU over the weekend, but they still have a chance at bragging rights with a victory over in-state rival Jacksonville State at home on Tuesday night.

The Trojans have fared a little better playing at Riddle-Pace Field in 2012, putting up a 7-6 record in their home stadium in a season that included big wins over non-conference foes such as Alabama.

Sign up for our daily email newsletter

Get the latest news sent to your inbox

A win over Jacksonville, who Troy beat 9-1 on the road back in March, won’t be a walk in the park however.

Jacksonville is coming off a 2-1 series at home against Tennessee Tech. for their third straight series win.

The Gamecocks (12-18) bring in five batters currently hitting above .300 including senior Sam Eberle, who was just named Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Week and brings in a .356 average.

The Trojans have three batters breaking the .300 mark in Logan Pierce, Tyler Vaughn and Danny Collins with Pierce holding a 20-game hit streak up until the final game of the FIU series when he hit a sacrifice fly to bring in a run.

On the mound for Troy will be junior William Teal. The Charles Henderson graduate is 0-1 on the season with a 10.80 ERA.

A win over the Gamecocks would give the Trojans a 2-0 record against rival Jacksonville State and a 5-5 record against in-state opponents.

The Trojans will face Jacksonville Tuesday night at 6 p.m. at Riddle-Pace field before jumping back into Sun Belt play with a three game home series against the 20-12 Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders.