The 2021 Troy Trojans baseball team represented Troy University during the 2021 NCAA Division I baseball season. The Trojans played their home games at Riddle–Pace Field and were led by sixth-year head coach Mark Smartt. They were members of the Sun Belt Conference.
Preseason
Signing Day Recruits
[2]
Sun Belt Conference Coaches Poll
The Sun Belt Conference Coaches Poll was released on February 15, 2021 and the Trojans were picked to finish fourth in the East Division with 44 votes.[3]
Coaches poll (East)
|
Predicted finish
|
Team
|
Votes (1st place)
|
1 |
Coastal Carolina |
69 (10)
|
2 |
South Alabama |
51 (1)
|
2 |
Georgia Southern |
51 (1)
|
4 |
Troy |
44
|
5 |
Appalachian State |
21
|
6 |
Georgia State |
16
|
Preseason All-Sun Belt Team & Honors
- Aaron Funk (LR, Pitcher)
- Jordan Jackson (GASO, Pitcher)
- Conor Angel (LA, Pitcher)
- Wyatt Divis (UTA, Pitcher)
- Lance Johnson (TROY, Pitcher)
- Caleb Bartolero (TROY, Catcher)
- William Sullivan (TROY, 1st Base)
- Luke Drumheller (APP, 2nd Base)
- Drew Frederic (TROY, Shortstop)
- Cooper Weiss (CCU, 3rd Base)
- Ethan Wilson (USA, Outfielder)
- Parker Chavers (CCU, Outfielder)
- Rigsby Mosley (TROY, Outfielder)
- Eilan Merejo (GSU, Designated Hitter)
- Andrew Beesly (ULM, Utility)
Personnel
Roster
[4]
2021 Troy Trojans roster
|
|
Pitchers
- 10 Matt Snell - Freshman
- 11 Orlando Ortiz - Junior
- 13 Tyson Ellis - Sophomore
- 14 Bay Witcher - Sophomore
- 20 Lance Johnson - Senior
- 22 Marquez Oates - Junior
- 23 Max Newton - Senior
- 24 Ryan Fultz - Senior
- 26 Noah Janney - Freshman
- 27 Davis Burgin - Sophomore
- 29 Mason Kenney - Sophomore
- 32 Kyle Gamble - Sophomore
- 35 Ryan Pettys - Freshman
- 36 DJ Wilkinson - Junior
- 37 Dominick Miller - Sophomore
- 42 Zach Moore - Senior
- 44 Garrett Gainous - Freshman
- 45 Nicholas Barber - Freshman
- 46 Peyton Wesson - Freshman
- 47 Grayson Stewart - Freshman
- 49 Beau Fletcher - Freshman
- 51 Judson Hershiser - Freshman
|
|
Catchers
- 8 Caleb Bartolero - Sophomore
- 38 Brady Sherrill - Junior
- 40 Clay Sterns - Sophomore
- 48 Logan Blackmon - Junior
Infielders
- 1 Drew Frederic - Senior
- 2 Jesse Hall - Junior
- 4 Austin Garofalo - Junior
- 6 Nic Nolan - Sophomore
- 17 Easton Kirk - Junior
- 18 Tanner Jackson - Sophomore
- 30 William Sullivan - Freshman
- 31 Donovan Whibbs - Sophomore
- 33 Taylor Pridgen - Sophomore
Outfielders
- 5 Reed Smith - Junior
- 7 Kyle Mock - Freshman
- 15 Dalton Sinquefield - Senior
- 16 Logan Cerny - Sophomore
- 21 Rigsby Mosley - Junior
- 39 Seth Johnson - Freshman
- 43 Hudson Hartsfield - Redshirt Freshman
|
Coaching staff
2021 Troy Trojans coaching staff
|
- Mark Smartt – Head Coach – 6th year
- Shane Gierke – Assistant Head Coach– 6th year
- Matt Hancock – Assistant Head Coach – 3rd year
- Peyton Fuller – Volunteer Assistant Coach – 5th year
- Adam Godwin – Director of Player Performance and Development – 3rd year
- Jackson Cofer – Director of Operations – 1st year
|
Schedule and results
Legend
|
|
Troy win
|
|
Troy loss
|
|
Postponement/Cancelation/Suspensions
|
Bold |
Troy team member
|
2021 Troy Trojans baseball game log
|
Regular season (27-24)
|
February (7-1)
|
Date
|
Opponent
|
Rank
|
Site/stadium
|
Score
|
Win
|
Loss
|
Save
|
TV
|
Attendance
|
Overall record
|
SBC record
|
Feb. 19 |
Youngstown State |
|
Riddle–Pace Field • Troy, AL |
W 10-4 |
Ortiz (1-0) |
Clark (0-1) |
None |
|
959 |
1-0 |
|
Feb. 20 |
Youngstown State |
|
Riddle–Pace Field • Troy, AL |
W 8-2 |
Gainous (1-0) |
Floyd (0-1) |
Oates (1) |
|
1,002 |
2-0 |
|
Feb. 20 |
Youngstown State |
|
Riddle–Pace Field • Troy, AL |
W 13-6 |
Witcher (1-0) |
Perry (0-1) |
None |
|
1,002 |
3-0 |
|
Feb. 21 |
Youngstown State |
|
Riddle–Pace Field • Troy, AL |
L 2-4 |
Snyder (1-0) |
Wilkinson (0-1) |
Clift Jr. (1) |
|
801 |
3-1 |
|
Feb. 23 |
UAB |
|
Riddle–Pace Field • Troy, AL |
W 10-3 |
Oates (1-0) |
Smith (0-1) |
None |
|
925 |
4-1 |
|
Feb. 26 |
Jacksonville |
|
Riddle–Pace Field • Troy, AL |
W 6-3 |
Ortiz (2-0) |
Santana (0-2) |
Kenney (1) |
|
834 |
5-1 |
|
Feb. 27 |
Jacksonville |
|
Riddle–Pace Field • Troy, AL |
W 8-1 |
Gainous (2-0) |
Cassala (0-1) |
None |
|
910 |
6-1 |
|
Feb. 28 |
Jacksonville |
|
Riddle–Pace Field • Troy, AL |
W 9-0 |
Witcher (2-0) |
Temple (0-2) |
None |
|
818 |
7-1 |
'
|
|
March (6-9)
|
Date
|
Opponent
|
Rank
|
Site/stadium
|
Score
|
Win
|
Loss
|
Save
|
TV
|
Attendance
|
Overall record
|
SBC record
|
Mar. 3 |
at Alabama |
|
Sewell–Thomas Stadium • Tuscaloosa, AL |
L 1-9 |
Shamblin (1-0) |
Gamble (0-1) |
Freeman (1) |
SECN+ |
1,742 |
7-2 |
|
Mar. 5 |
at Southeastern Louisiana |
|
Pat Kenelly Diamond at Alumni Field • Hammond, LA |
L 2-7 |
Bartley (1-1) |
Ortiz (2-1) |
None |
ESPN+ |
898 |
7-3 |
|
Mar. 6 |
at Southeastern Louisiana |
|
Pat Kenelly Diamond at Alumni Field • Hammond, LA |
L 1-7 |
Warren (2-0) |
Gainous (2-1) |
None |
|
868 |
7-4 |
|
Mar. 7 |
at Southeastern Louisiana |
|
Pat Kenelly Diamond at Alumni Field • Hammond, LA |
L 2-4 |
Hughes (1-0) |
Oates (1-1) |
None |
ESPN+ |
833 |
7-5 |
|
Mar. 9 |
Samford |
|
Riddle–Pace Field • Troy, AL |
L 5-6 |
Cupo (3-0) |
Kenney (0-1) |
Isbell (3) |
ESPN+ |
714 |
7-6 |
|
Mar. 12 |
Tulane |
|
Riddle–Pace Field • Troy, AL |
L 4-9 |
Olthoff (2-0) |
Gamble (0-2) |
None |
ESPN+ |
776 |
7-7 |
|
Mar. 13 |
Tulane |
|
Riddle–Pace Field • Troy, AL |
W 12-3 |
Kenney (1-1) |
Benoit (0-1) |
None |
ESPN+ |
875 |
8-7 |
|
Mar. 14 |
Tulane |
|
Riddle–Pace Field • Troy, AL |
L 2-14 |
Aldrich (1-0) |
Witcher (2-1) |
None |
ESPN+ |
818 |
8-8 |
|
Mar. 16 |
Alabama |
|
Riddle–Pace Field • Troy, AL |
Game Postponed
|
Mar. 19 |
Georgia Southern |
|
Riddle–Pace Field • Troy, AL |
L 1-8 |
Owens (1-0) |
Ortiz (2-2) |
None |
ESPN+ |
809 |
8-9 |
0-1
|
Mar. 20 |
Georgia Southern |
|
Riddle–Pace Field • Troy, AL |
W 11-8 |
Gainous (3-1) |
Dollander (2-1) |
None |
ESPN+ |
1,057 |
9-9 |
1-1
|
Mar. 21 |
Georgia Southern |
|
Riddle–Pace Field • Troy, AL |
W 8-4 |
Witcher (3-1) |
Johnson (1-1) |
Pettys (1) |
ESPN+ |
831 |
10-9 |
2-1
|
Mar. 24 |
vs. Alabama State |
|
Montgomery Riverwalk Stadium • Montgomery, AL |
W 16-3 |
Gamble (1-2) |
Mendez (0-2) |
None |
|
1,029 |
11-9 |
|
Mar. 26 |
UCF |
|
Riddle–Pace Field • Troy, AL |
L 3-6 |
Gordon (3-2) |
Ortiz (2-3) |
None |
ESPN+ |
761 |
11-10 |
|
Mar. 27 |
UCF |
|
Riddle–Pace Field • Troy, AL |
W 2-1 |
Gainous (4-1) |
Sinclair (1-2) |
Kenney (2) |
ESPN+ |
1,020 |
12-10 |
|
Mar. 28 |
UCF |
|
Riddle–Pace Field • Troy, AL |
W 14-12 (8 inns) |
Johnson (1-0) |
Jones (2-2) |
Oates (2) |
ESPN+ |
755 |
13-10 |
|
|
April (7-10)
|
Date
|
Opponent
|
Rank
|
Site/stadium
|
Score
|
Win
|
Loss
|
Save
|
TV
|
Attendance
|
Overall record
|
SBC record
|
Apr. 1 |
at South Alabama |
|
Eddie Stanky Field • Mobile, AL |
L 0-6 |
Lee (2-1) |
Witcher (3-2) |
Smith (1) |
ESPN+ |
787 |
13-11 |
2-2
|
Apr. 2 |
at South Alabama |
|
Eddie Stanky Field • Mobile, AL |
L 3-6 |
Boswell (2-0) |
Wilkinson (0-2) |
None |
ESPN+ |
812 |
13-12 |
2-3
|
Apr. 3 |
at South Alabama |
|
Eddie Stanky Field • Mobile, AL |
L 0-8 |
Booker (3-0) |
Gainous (4-2) |
Dalton (2) |
ESPN+ |
847 |
13-13 |
2-4
|
Apr. 6 |
at Samford |
|
Joe Lee Griffin Stadium • Birmingham, AL |
L 3-4 |
Isbell (2-1) |
Kenney (1-2) |
None |
|
137 |
13-14 |
|
Apr. 9 |
Texas State |
|
Riddle–Pace Field • Troy, AL |
L 2-4 |
Leigh (2-4) |
Ortiz (2-4) |
Stivors (5) |
ESPN+ |
756 |
13-15 |
2-5
|
Apr. 10 |
Texas State |
|
Riddle–Pace Field • Troy, AL |
L 1-3 |
Herrmann (4-0) |
Gainous (4-3) |
Bush (1) |
ESPN+ |
1,005 |
13-16 |
2-6
|
Apr. 11 |
Texas State |
|
Riddle–Pace Field • Troy, AL |
W 5-3 |
Oates (2-1) |
Martinez (0-1) |
Newton (1) |
ESPN+ |
703 |
14-16 |
3-6
|
Apr. 13 |
at UAB |
|
Regions Field • Birmingham, AL |
W 12-4 |
Gamble (2-2) |
Reed (0-1) |
None |
|
359 |
15-16 |
|
Apr. 16 |
at Georgia State |
|
Georgia State Baseball Complex • Decatur, GA |
W 4-0 |
Gainous (5-3) |
Jones (0-5) |
None |
|
214 |
16-16 |
4-6
|
Apr. 17 |
at Georgia State |
|
Georgia State Baseball Complex • Decatur, GA |
L 5-7 |
Treadway (1-4) |
Wilkinson (0-3) |
Lutz (1) |
|
398 |
16-17 |
4-7
|
Apr. 18 |
at Georgia State |
|
Georgia State Baseball Complex • Decatur, GA |
L 15-17 (10 inns) |
Dawson (1-2) |
Snell (0-1) |
None |
|
401 |
16-18 |
4-8
|
Apr. 20 |
at Jacksonville State |
|
Rudy Abbott Field • Jacksonville, AL |
L 1-6 |
Luigs (2-1) |
Pettys (0-1) |
None |
|
720 |
16-19 |
|
Apr. 23 |
Appalachian State |
|
Riddle–Pace Field • Troy, AL |
W 2-0 |
Gainous (6-3) |
Tuthill (2-4) |
Oates (3) |
ESPN+ |
843 |
17-19 |
5-8
|
Apr. 24 |
Appalachian State |
|
Riddle–Pace Field • Troy, AL |
W 9-4 |
Ortiz (3-4) |
Cornatzer (1-1) |
None |
ESPN+ |
804 |
18-19 |
6-8
|
Apr. 25 |
Appalachian State |
|
Riddle–Pace Field • Troy, AL |
W 12-2 (8 inns) |
Witcher (4-2) |
Martinez (3-6) |
None |
ESPN+ |
804 |
19-19 |
7-8
|
Apr. 27 |
Jacksonville State |
|
Riddle–Pace Field • Troy, AL |
W 2-0 |
Oates (3-1) |
Peppers (0-3) |
None |
ESPN+ |
774 |
20-19 |
|
Apr. 30 |
at No. 20 Florida State |
|
Mike Martin Field at Dick Howser Stadium • Tallahassee, FL |
L 2-3 |
Messick (5-2) |
Gainous (6-4) |
Anderson (1) |
ACCN+ |
1,491 |
20-20 |
|
|
May (7–4)
|
Date
|
Opponent
|
Rank
|
Site/stadium
|
Score
|
Win
|
Loss
|
Save
|
TV
|
Attendance
|
Overall record
|
SBC record
|
May 1 |
at No. 20 Florida State |
|
Mike Martin Field at Dick Howser Stadium • Tallahassee, FL |
W 3-0 |
Ortiz (4-4) |
Hubbart (5-3) |
Oates (4) |
ACCN+ |
1,687 |
21-20 |
|
May 2 |
at No. 20 Florida State |
|
Mike Martin Field at Dick Howser Stadium • Tallahassee, FL |
L 2-4 |
Ahearn (2-1) |
Wilkinson (0-4) |
Anderson (2) |
ACCN+ |
1,476 |
21-21 |
|
May 7 |
at Coastal Carolina |
|
Springs Brooks Stadium • Conway, SC |
W 9-7 |
Gainous (7-4) |
Alaska (1-2) |
Oates (5) |
ESPN+ |
1,000 |
22-21 |
8-8
|
May 8 |
at Coastal Carolina |
|
Springs Brooks Stadium • Conway, SC |
W 9-7 |
Ortiz (5-4) |
Parker (3-4) |
Oates (6) |
ESPN+ |
1,000 |
23-21 |
9-8
|
May 9 |
at Coastal Carolina |
|
Springs Brooks Stadium • Conway, SC |
W 10-6 |
Witcher (5-2) |
Kurki (0-1) |
None |
ESPN+ |
1,000 |
24-21 |
10-8
|
May 11 |
Alabama State |
|
Riddle–Pace Field • Troy, AL |
Game cancelled
|
May 14 |
Arkansas State |
|
Riddle–Pace Field • Troy, AL |
W 12-4 |
Gainous (8-4) |
Hudson (4-2) |
None |
|
834 |
25-21 |
11-8
|
May 15 |
Arkansas State |
|
Riddle–Pace Field • Troy, AL |
W 3-1 |
Ortiz (6-4) |
Nash (3-5) |
Oates (7) |
|
866 |
26-21 |
12-8
|
May 16 |
Arkansas State |
|
Riddle–Pace Field • Troy, AL |
L 5-9 |
Holt (4-3) |
Witcher (6-3) |
None |
|
816 |
26-22 |
12-9
|
May 20 |
at Louisiana |
|
M. L. Tigue Moore Field at Russo Park • Lafayette, LA |
W 6-5 |
Gainous (9-4) |
Arrighetti (7-5) |
Oates (8) |
ESPN+ |
460 |
27-22 |
13-9
|
May 21 |
at Louisiana |
|
M. L. Tigue Moore Field at Russo Park • Lafayette, LA |
L 2-3 |
Cooke (7-3) |
Ortiz (6-5) |
Talley (8) |
ESPN+ |
958 |
27-23 |
13-10
|
May 22 |
at Louisiana |
|
M. L. Tigue Moore Field at Russo Park • Lafayette, LA |
L 1-2 |
Dixon (3-0) |
Witcher (5-4) |
Schultz (4) |
ESPN+ |
1,227 |
27-24 |
13-11
|
|
Post-season (0–2)
|
SBC Tournament (0–2)
|
Date
|
Opponent
|
Seed/Rank
|
Site/stadium
|
Score
|
Win
|
Loss
|
Save
|
TV
|
Attendance
|
Overall record
|
Tournament record
|
May 25 |
vs. (5W) Arkansas State |
(3E) |
Montgomery Riverwalk Stadium • Montgomery, AL |
L 6-9 |
Stone (1-2) |
Oates (3-2) |
None |
ESPN+ |
|
27-25 |
0-1
|
May 28 |
vs. (2W) UT Arlington |
(3E) |
Montgomery Riverwalk Stadium • Montgomery, AL |
L 5-11 |
Seals (4-0) |
Gainous (9-5) |
None |
ESPN+ |
|
27-26 |
0-2
|
|
- Schedule Source:[5]
*Rankings are based on the team's current ranking in the D1Baseball poll.
Postseason
Conference accolades
- Player of the Year: Mason McWhorter – GASO
- Pitcher of the Year: Hayden Arnold – LR
- Freshman of the Year: Garrett Gainous – TROY
- Newcomer of the Year: Drake Osborn – LA
- Coach of the Year: Mark Calvi – USA
All Conference First Team
- Connor Cooke (LA)
- Hayden Arnold (LR)
- Carlos Tavera (UTA)
- Nick Jones (GASO)
- Drake Osborn (LA)
- Robbie Young (APP)
- Luke Drumheller (APP)
- Drew Frederic (TROY)
- Ben Klutts (ARST)
- Mason McWhorter (GASO)
- Logan Cerny (TROY)
- Ethan Wilson (USA)
- Cameron Jones (GSU)
- Ben Fitzgerald (LA)
|
All Conference Second Team
- JoJo Booker (USA)
- Tyler Tuthill (APP)
- Jeremy Lee (USA)
- Aaron Barkley (LR)
- BT Riopelle (CCU)
- Dylan Paul (UTA)
- Travis Washburn (ULM)
- Eric Brown (CCU)
- Grant Schulz (ULM)
- Tyler Duncan (ARST)
- Parker Chavers (CCU)
- Josh Smith (GSU)
- Andrew Miller (UTA)
- Noah Ledford (GASO)
|
References:[6]
Rankings
^ Collegiate Baseball ranked 40 teams in their preseason poll, but only ranked 30 teams weekly during the season.
† NCBWA ranks 35 teams in their preseason poll, but only ranks 30 teams weekly during the season.
* A new poll was not released for this week, so for comparison purposes, the previous week's ranking is inserted in this week's slot.
References
- ^ "Sun Belt Conference baseball standings". D1Baseball.com. Retrieved May 31, 2021.
- ^ "Troy Baseball Inks Seven on Signing Day". Troy University Athletics. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
- ^ Conference, Sun Belt. "Sun Belt Conference Announces 2021 Baseball Preseason Honors". sunbeltsports.org. Retrieved February 17, 2021.
- ^ "2021 Baseball Roster". Troy University Athletics. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
- ^ "2021 Baseball Schedule". Troy University Athletics. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
- ^ "Sun Belt Announces 2021 Baseball All-Conference Teams & Postseason Awards". sunbeltsports.org. Retrieved January 5, 2022.
- ^ "Baseball Coaches Poll". Retrieved February 28, 2021.
- ^ "College Baseball Top 25 Rankings". baseballamerica.com. Retrieved February 28, 2021.
- ^ "2019 Collegiate Baseball Polls - Collegiate Baseball Newspaper". baseballnews.com. Retrieved February 28, 2021.
- ^ "NCBWA > News". sportswriters.net. Retrieved February 28, 2021.
- ^ "College Baseball Rankings News & Analysis". d1baseball.com. Retrieved February 28, 2021.