Wikipedia

Troy Trojans baseball

The Troy Trojans baseball team is the varsity intercollegiate baseball team of Troy University, located in Troy, Alabama, United States. It competes in the NCAA Division I Sun Belt Conference. The program began play in 1911. In 1986 and 1987, Troy won Division II national championships under head coach Chase Riddle. As a Division II program, the team won 10 conference titles and appeared in 14 NCAA regionals and 7 College World Series.

Troy Trojans
2024 Troy Trojans baseball team
Founded1911; 113 years ago (1911)
Overall record1,865–1,184–3 (.612)
UniversityTroy University
Head coachSkylar Meade (4th season)
ConferenceSun Belt
East Division
LocationTroy, Alabama
Home stadiumRiddle-Pace Field
(Capacity: 2,500)
NicknameTrojans
ColorsCardinal, silver, and black[1]
     
NCAA Tournament appearances
1993, 1995, 1997, 2006, 2007, 2011, 2013, 2018, 2023
Conference tournament champions
1980, 1981, 1982, 1986, 1987, 1990, 1995, 1997, 2006
Regular season conference champions
1980, 1981, 1982, 1986, 1989, 1996, 1997, 2005, 2006, 2011, 2013

As of the end of the 2020 season, the program's overall record is 1,865–1,184–3. Troy is the 34th all-time winningest baseball program among all Division 1 programs.

History

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Early history

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Few schools in the South, especially in the state of Alabama, possess as rich a history as that of the Troy baseball program. In the past 40 years alone, Trojan baseball squads have claimed more than 1,300 victories, 14 conference championships, 7 NCAA regional crowns, and back-to-back Division II NCAA National Championships in 1986 and 1987.

As early as the turn of the 20th century, old photographs show evidence that Troy fielded an intercollegiate baseball team in the early 1900s, but school records only date back to 1931. In the teams early years, they were known as the "Teachers" since the college was primarily an educational institution for teachers. In 1931, the Troy Normal School moved all home games to what is now known as Riddle-Pace Field. The previous playing field, which was located on the quad in front of Shackelford Hall, was the original playing field. This relocation occurred because of baseballs breaking the windows of Shackelford Hall.

 
The 1912 Troy Normal School Teachers baseball team, one of the earliest photos of the Troy baseball program.

Chase Riddle era

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In 1979, Troy State hired Chase Riddle, who was a manager and scout for the St. Louis Cardinals major league baseball team. In his first year as the head coach, he led the Trojans to a then-school-record 33 wins and a second place finish in the Gulf South Conference Eastern Division. That same season, Troy performed a two-game sweep of the Alabama Crimson Tide; a big accomplishment for an in-state Division II school.

In Riddle's second season at the helm, he went on to accomplish even more. His 1980 team finished the season 30–12, garnering a significant win over the then #7-ranked Florida State Seminoles by a score of 5–3. The Trojans would wind up winning the Gulf South Conference championship and the NCAA Central Regional, and making it all the way to the NCAA College World Series. They were eliminated with a 1–2 record from the World Series, but Troy had established themselves as a new powerhouse baseball program.

The 1981 and 1982 seasons were also huge successes for Riddle and his program. The program won another Gulf South Conference championship in 1981 with yet another appearance in the College World Series, finishing the season with a 37–10 record. The 1982 season saw Troy winning yet another conference championship and appearing again in the NCAA tournament. Troy would also garner big wins against Auburn and Clemson that same year.

From 1983 to 1985, the Trojans would go 105–42, making three NCAA regional appearances and two College World Series appearances.

In 1986, the Trojans defeated Columbus State, 5–0, to win their first NCAA College World Series (Division II). They finished the season as the #1-ranked team in the country, with a 46–8 overall record, and a 12–0 conference record to win another Gulf South Conference title. In 1987, they followed up with yet another national championship by defeating Tampa, 7–5.[2] For his successes, head coach Chase Riddle was named National Head Coach of the Year by the American Baseball Coaches Association in 1986 and 1987.

Chase Riddle would wind up retiring in 1990, finishing his notable career with a record of 434–149–2. Less than one year after his retirement, Riddle's #25 jersey that he wore was retired. Riddle was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in 2000, the Wiregrass Sports Hall of Fame in 2005, and later into the Troy Sports Hall of Fame in 2012.

John Mayotte era

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Upon transitioning from Division II to Division I, the Trojans finished their tenure in Division II with a 38–25 overall record against competition in NCAA postseason play.

In the Trojan's last season of play in Division II, coach John Mayotte helped continue the trend of Trojan baseball success, leading the team to another College World Series appearance, only to be eliminated with a 2–2 record. The Trojans finished that season ranked #3 in the nation.

After coach Mayotte helped lead Troy into their new era of Division I baseball, he led the team to their first Division I NCAA regional in 1995, just Troy's second season of being in Division I. Troy was eliminated in the Regional by Florida State and Ole Miss that season. In 1997, Mayotte once again led Troy to another NCAA regional, where Troy was again eliminated, this time by Alabama and Southern California.

Bobby Pierce era

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In 2003, Troy hired Bobby Pierce as head coach. In his 4th season (2006), he led Troy to their 3rd ever appearance in an NCAA regional. In what would become one of Pierce's best seasons, his Trojans went 47–16 and won their first Sun Belt Conference championship. They entered into the Tuscaloosa Regional as the #2-seed team, while also holding a national ranking of #27 by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association. Troy would face #3-seed Southern Miss in the first matchup, with Troy scoring their first victory in a Regional since joining Division I, beating Southern Miss by a score of 10–8. Troy would fall to #1-seed Alabama in the next round, only to face Southern Miss and beating them yet again. Troy would finally be eliminated from the Regional by Alabama in the final game. Three players from the 2006 team were taken that year in the MLB Draft: Tom King, Mike Felix, and Jarred Keel.

The Trojans went on to have a lot of success over the years since that 2006 season, finding themselves ranked in the Top 25 occasionally almost every season, yet never finishing with a national ranking. That trend would change in 2013.

The 2013 season saw Troy have one of its strongest batting lineups in the program's history. The Trojans were in the Top 10 in the NCAA in total home runs, hitting 54 that season. After getting big wins over Texas Tech and Auburn during the season, the Trojans won another Sun Belt Conference championship, going 40–18 during the regular season. Troy would be ranked #26 by Collegiate Baseball going into the Tallahassee Regional, garnering them the #3-seed. They would face Alabama in the first round, defeating the Crimson Tide 5–2, only to lose to Florida State in the next round. After being put into the elimination bracket, Troy had to once again face the Alabama Crimson Tide. The Trojans would defeat the Tide yet again, this time in a thriller by a score of 9–8. Troy faced Florida State in the finals of the Regional, but wound up being eliminated by the Seminoles, 4–11.

The Trojans would finish the 2013 season with their first ever Top 25 rankings, being ranked #23 by Collegiate Baseball and #25 by Baseball America.

Bobby Pierce finished his career with a 450–313 record at Troy, leading the program to their first Top 25 finish and 4 NCAA regional appearances. For his accomplishments, Pierce was inducted into the Alabama Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame in 2010, the Wiregrass Hall of Fame in 2017, and the Troy Sports Hall of Fame in 2018.

Mark Smartt era

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After the 2016 season, long-time assistant coach Mark Smartt was hired as Troy's new head coach. Smartt is a Troy University alumnus and was a member of the Troy State Trojans baseball teams that was Division II national championships in 1986 and 1987.

In Smartt's second season at the helm, his team would go 31–25, performing a rare accomplishment by defeating every in-state on the schedule in 2017. The Trojans would defeat Alabama, Auburn, UAB, South Alabama, Alabama State, Samford, and Jacksonville State that season.

In 2018, in just Smartt's third season as head coach, he led Troy to a 2nd-place finish in the Sun Belt Conference and finished with a 42–21 record that season. The team would make it all the way to the Sun Belt Conference Tournament finals against #19 Coastal Carolina, only to lose 6–11 to the Chanticleers. Troy wound up receiving an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament, where they would face #18 Duke in the first round, defeating the Blue Devils by a score of 6–0. The Trojans' fortunes would fade from there though, losing to #9 Georgia in the next round, and finally being eliminated in a re-match with Duke. Troy finished the season with the sixth-most wins in school history, while garnering a few wins over Top 25 ranked teams, including #17 Coastal Carolina, #18 Duke, and #22 Auburn.

Coaches

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Years Coach Record
1954–1960 Paul Nix 92–45
1961–1964 Melvin Lucas 62–30
1965–1966 Billy Williams 21–19
1967–1968 Phillip Creel 21–27
1969–1970 Frank Rosado 22–21
1971 Bo Gaylard 7–14
1972 Bob Boothe 18–24
1973–1974
1976–1978 		Joe Hollis 106–75
1975 Larry Maier 14–12
1979–1990 Chase Riddle 434–149–2
1991–2002 John Mayotte 386–273–1
2003–2015 Bobby Pierce 450–313
2016–2021 Mark Smartt 168–132
2022–present Skylar Meade 32–24

Riddle-Pace Field

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Riddle-Pace Field entrance at Troy University.


Riddle-Pace Field, located on the university's campus, is the program's home venue. It is named for Chase Riddle, former head coach of the program, and Matthew Downer Pace, who served Troy University from 1891 to 1941 as Professor of Mathematics, Dean, and President.

The stadium features a brick concourse, a three-story press box, restrooms, a concession stand, and a merchandise booth. The stadium has a capacity of 2,000 spectators, which includes 1,700 bleacher seats and 300 chair-back seats. More spectator areas are located beyond the left field fence and adjacent to the home plate dugout. The Lott Baseball Complex was built along the left field fence, which houses coaches offices, player locker rooms and lounge, and an indoor batting cage.

The field had its grass turf removed and was replaced with artificial grass turf in 2008. Troy was one of only three college baseball programs at the time to switch from grass fields to artificial turf. A state-of-the-art drainage system was installed with the new artificial turf, lending the Troy baseball team the ability to play games in a very short amount of time after heavy rains come through.

The field has become known for its "Monster" wall in right field, a 27-foot tall black wall with a built-in scoreboard and video board. It's currently one of the largest outfield walls in all of college baseball.

Attendance

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Attendance Rankings

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Former Troy shortstop Shohei Fujita.

Troy has been ranked in the NCAA's Top 50 for annual average home attendance for multiple seasons since the early 2000s.

Year National rank Avg. home attendance
2023 43rd 1,765
2022 34th 1,948
2020 37th 1,596
2019 41st 1,545
2018 41st 1,636
2015 48th 1,185
2012 50th 1,211
2011 40th 1,282
2010 46th 1,188
2009 43rd 1,208
2008 46th 1,301
2007 42nd 1,425
2005 47th 1,130

Attendance Records

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Below is a list of Troy's top six single-game attendance figures.

Attendance Year Opponent Result
3,649 2018 South Alabama L 5–8
3,328 2017 Alabama W 12–11
3,243 2016 Alabama L 1–2
3,212 2022 Auburn L 4–11
3,210 2019 Alabama L 3–7
3,189 2018 Auburn W 9–5
2,936 2012 Alabama W 9–0
2,586 2010 Auburn W 5–4

All-Americans

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Troy has produced 58 All-American players, as well as 6 Academic All-Americans. Since Troy joined the NCAA's Division I in 1994, the program has had 16 players named as All-Americans.

The following is a list of all First Team All-Americans Troy has had since joining Division I:

Player Position Year(s) Selectors
Nate Moore P 2004 Baseball America
Tom King SS 2006 Collegiate Baseball, NCBWA, Louisville Slugger
Bryan Miller OF 2008 Collegiate Baseball
Adam Bryant SS 2010 Ping!Baseball.com
Tyler Hannah 3B 2011 Collegiate Baseball
Danny Collins OF 2013 Collegiate Baseball, NCBWA

Award Winners/Finalists

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  • ABCA National Coach of the Year
Chase Riddle – 1986, 1987
John Mayotte – 1993
Brett Henry – 2009
Brandon Lockridge – 2018
Adam Bryant – 2010
Tyler Vaughn – 2013

MLB Draft

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Troy has had 61 total players selected in the MLB Draft in its history. Click the "show" button at the top corner of the table below in order to see the list of Trojans that have been drafted.

Notable alumni

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Fred "Scrap Iron" Hatfield with the Detroit Tigers in 1953.

The following players made their way onto Major League rosters from either being drafted or signed as free agents:

Championships

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Troy's Baseball Hall of Fame & Championships wall, located in the main concourse beneath the stadium.

Since Troy's first year in Division I in 1994, the program has won six regular-season conference titles and three conference tournament titles.

In the team's short stint in the Mid-Continent Conference, they won the regular season title in three straight seasons, from 1995 to 1997, to go along with two tournament titles in 1995 and 1997. In Troy's last season in the Atlantic Sun Conference in 2005, they won the regular season title. Since joining the Sun Belt Conference, the team has won three regular season titles in 2006, 2011, and 2013. Troy also won the SBC tournament title in 2006.

The program has compiled a total of 20 conference championships and two D-II national championships since its inception.

Conference Season Championships

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Year Coach Record Conference title
1980 Chase Riddle 30–12 (12–2) Gulf South Conference champions
1981 Chase Riddle 37–10 (12–0)
1982 Chase Riddle 31–10 (8–3)
1986 Chase Riddle 46–8 (12–0)
1989 Chase Riddle 29–16 (6–8)
1996 John Mayotte 41–13 (18–2) Mid-Continent Conference champions
1997 John Mayotte 37–23 (8–6)
2005 Bobby Pierce 37–21 (23–7) Atlantic Sun Conference champions
2006 Bobby Pierce 47–16 (20–4) Sun Belt Conference champions
2011 Bobby Pierce 43–19 (21–9)
2013 Bobby Pierce 42–20 (20–10)
Regular Season championships: 11

Conference Tournament Championships

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Year Coach Record Conference title
1980 Chase Riddle 30–12 (12–2) Gulf South Conference champions
1981 Chase Riddle 37–10 (12–0)
1982 Chase Riddle 31–10 (8–3)
1986 Chase Riddle 46–8 (12–0)
1987 Chase Riddle 38–10–1 (8–5)
1990 Chase Riddle 50–10 (9–3)
1995 John Mayotte 41–13 (18–2) Mid-Continent Conference champions
1997 John Mayotte 37–23 (8–6)
2006 Bobby Pierce 47–16 (20–4) Sun Belt Conference champions
Conference Tournament championships: 9

Division II national championships

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In 1986, the Trojans defeated Columbus State, 5–0, to win the Division II College World Series. In 1987, they followed up with yet another national championship by defeating Tampa, 7–5.[2]

Then head coach Chase Riddle was named National Head Coach of the Year in 1986 and 1987 for his successes of winning two national championships in a row.

Year Record Postseason Results Title
1986 46–8 (12–0) W 8–7 vs. Sam Houston State
W 13–4 vs. Jacksonville State
W 6–4 vs. Sam Houston State
W 8–6 vs. Mankato State
W 7–5 vs. New Haven
W 9–1 vs. Sacramento State
W 5–0 vs. Columbus College		 NCAA Division II
National Champions
1987 38–10–1 (8–5) W 4–0 vs. North Alabama
W 8–5 vs. SIU-Edwardsville
W 3–1 vs. SIU-Edwardsville
W 6–0 vs. Tampa
W 6–2 vs. CSU-Dominguez Hills
W 8–7 vs. Wright State
W 7–5 vs. Tampa		 NCAA Division II
National Champions
National Championships: 2

Top 25 finishes

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Year Record Coaches' Poll Collegiate baseball Baseball America
1979 33–14 #12
1980 30–12 #4
1981 37–10 #4
1982 31–10 #13
1983 23–11–1 #7
1984 39–16 #3
1985 43–15 #6
1986 46–8 #1
1987 38–10–1 #1
1988 35–17 #14
1989 29–16 #23
1990 50–10 #16
1991 34–19 #14
1992 29–21 #24 #25
1993 39–17 #3 #3
2013 42–20 #23 #25

Yearly results

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Division I

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Statistics overview
Season Coach Overall Conference Standing Postseason
Troy State (East Coast Conference) (1994–1994)
1994 John Mayotte 34–16 5–1 1st
Troy State (Mid-Continent Conference) (1995–1997)
1995 John Mayotte 27–23–1 13–6 2nd (East) NCAA regional
1996 John Mayotte 41–13 18–2 1st (East)
1997 John Mayotte 37–23 8–6 1st (East) NCAA regional
Troy State (Atlantic Sun Conference) (1998–2005)
1998 John Mayotte 37–21 13–7 1st (West)
1999 John Mayotte 31–28 15–15 5th
2000 John Mayotte 22–34 11–16 7th
2001 John Mayotte 27–28 12–15 T-6th
2002 John Mayotte 28–30 16–14 4th
John Mayotte: 284–216–1 111–82
2003 Bobby Pierce 27–27 16–16 T-7th
2004 Bobby Pierce 36–22 15–15 5th
2005 Bobby Pierce 37–21 23–7 1st
Troy (Sun Belt Conference) (2006–Present)
2006 Bobby Pierce 47–16 20–4 1st NCAA regional
2007 Bobby Pierce 34–27 16–14 T-2nd NCAA regional
2008 Bobby Pierce 32–26 18–12 3rd
2009 Bobby Pierce 33–23 18–10 3rd
2010 Bobby Pierce 36–25 16–14 T-6th
2011 Bobby Pierce 43–17 21–9 1st NCAA regional
2012 Bobby Pierce 28–30 14–16 T-6th
2013 Bobby Pierce 42–20 20–10 T-1st NCAA regional
2014 Bobby Pierce 25–32 11–18 T-6th
2015 Bobby Pierce 30–25 18–10 2nd
Bobby Pierce: 450–311 226–155
2016 Mark Smartt 32–26 17–13 T-3rd
2017 Mark Smartt 31–24 16–14 T-4th (East)
2018 Mark Smartt 42–21 19–11 2nd (East) NCAA regional
2019 Mark Smartt 31–29 16–14 T-3rd (East)
2020 Mark Smartt 9–8 0–0 – (Season cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic)
2021 Mark Smartt 27–26 13–11 3rd (East)
Mark Smartt: 172–134 81–63
2022 Skylar Meade 32–24 15–15 T-6th
2023 Skylar Meade 40–22 18–12 T-3rd NCAA regional
Skylar Meade: 72–46 33–27
Total: 978–705

      National champion         Postseason invitational champion  
      Conference regular season champion         Conference regular season and conference tournament champion
      Division regular season champion       Division regular season and conference tournament champion
      Conference tournament champion

Postseason results

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Division I

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NCAA regionals

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Year Record Regional Results
1995 0–2 Tallahassee, FL Regional L 3–18 vs. Florida State
L 5–8 vs. Ole Miss
1997 0–2 Tuscaloosa, AL Regional L 5–8 vs. Alabama
L 2–5 vs. Southern California
2006 2–2 Tuscaloosa, AL Regional W 10–8 vs. Southern Miss
L 3–4 vs. Alabama
W 6–5 vs. Southern Miss
L 5–14 vs. Alabama
2007 0–2 Oxford, MS Regional L 2–14 vs. Southern Miss
L 6–7 vs. Sam Houston State
2011 1–2 Nashville, TN Regional W 9–2 vs. Oklahoma State
L 2–10 vs. Vanderbilt
L 2–5 vs. Belmont
2013 2–2 Tallahassee, FL Regional W 5–2 vs. Alabama
L 0–11 vs. Florida State
W 9–8 vs. Alabama
L 4–11 vs. Florida State
2018 1–2 Athens, GA Regional W 6–0 vs. Duke
L 7–11 vs. Georgia
L 6–15 vs. Duke
2023 1–2 Tuscaloosa, AL Regional W 11–10 vs. Boston College
L 8–11 vs. Alabama
L 1–4 vs. Boston College
Totals 7–16 8 Appearances

Division II

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NCAA regionals

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Year Record Regional Results
1977 0–2 NCAA South Regional L 5–15 vs. Eckerd College
L 2–3 vs. Florida Southern
1978 3–2 NCAA South Central Regional L 0–8 vs. Delta State
W 4–3 vs. Southeastern Louisiana
W 18–9 vs. Mankato State
W 10–5 vs. Delta State
L 4–8 vs. Delta State
1979 1–2 NCAA South Regional L 2–6 vs. Jacksonville State
W 1–0 vs. West Alabama
L 6–0 vs. Delta State
1980 4–1 NCAA Central Regional W 8–2 vs. Wright State
L 6–8 vs. Bellarmine
W 4–3 vs. Wright State
W 3–1 vs. Bellarmine
W 2–1 vs. Bellarmine
1981 3–0 NCAA South Central Regional W 4–1 vs. Indiana Central
W 3–1 vs. Northern Kentucky
W 5–4 vs. Delta State
1983 1–2 NCAA South Central Regional W 4–0 vs. Indiana Central
L 4–5 vs. Jacksonville State
L 6–7 vs. Wright State
1984 4–1 NCAA South Central Regional L 1–2 vs. North Alabama
W 7–6 vs. Indiana Central
W 5–1 vs. Jacksonville State
W 9–3 vs. North Alabama
W 9–3 vs. North Alabama
1985 3–0 NCAA South Central Regional W 7–6 vs. North Alabama
W 10–2 vs. Delta State
W 10–6 vs. Delta State
1986 3–0 NCAA South Central Regional W 8–7 vs. Sam Houston State
W 13–4 vs. Jacksonville State
W 6–4 vs. Sam Houston State
1987 3–0 NCAA South Central Regional W 4–0 vs. North Alabama
W 8–5 vs. SIU-Edwardsville
W 3–1 vs. SIU-Edwardsville
1988 0–2 NCAA South Central Regional L 7–8 vs. Central Missouri
L 7–9 vs. Delta State
1990 2–2 NCAA South Central Regional W 10–5 vs. Missouri Southern
W 6–2 vs. Jacksonville State
L 0–5 vs. Jacksonville State
L 2–11 vs. Jacksonville State
1991 0–2 NCAA South Central Regional L 0–2 vs. Jacksonville State
L 5–11 vs. Delta State
1993 3–0 NCAA South Central Regional W 4–2 vs. Valdosta State
W 7–6 vs. North Alabama
W 7–3 vs. North Alabama
Totals 30–16 14 Appearances

College World Series

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Year Record Regional Results
1980 1–2 College World Series L 2–8 vs. Florida International
W 6–3 vs. Florida Southern
L 7–15 vs. New Haven
1981 1–2 College World Series W 12–3 vs. Eastern Illinois
L 1–5 vs. Florida Southern
L 2–5 vs. Eastern Illinois
1984 2–2 College World Series W 5–4 vs. New Haven
W 12–6 vs. South Dakota State
L 3–12 vs. Florida Southern
L 4–11 vs. Cal State-Northridge
1985 0–2 College World Series L 1–9 vs. Valdosta State
L 5–10 vs. Florida Southern
1986 4–0 College World Series W 8–6 vs. Mankato State
W 7–5 vs. New Haven
W 9–1 vs. Sacramento State
W 5–0 vs. Columbus College
1987 4–0 College World Series W 6–0 vs. Tampa
W 6–2 vs. Cal State-Dominguez Hills
W 8–7 vs. Wright State
W 7–5 vs. Tampa
1993 2–2 College World Series W 5–0 vs. Pennsylvania-Mansfield
L 1–13 vs. Tampa
W 7–2 vs. Pennsylvania-Mansfield
L 3–4 vs. Tampa
Totals 14–10 7 Appearances

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Trojan 2.0 Best Practices and Style Guide". Retrieved December 1, 2022.
  2. ^ a b "All-Time Results" (PDF). NCAA Division II Baseball Record Book. NCAA. Retrieved December 18, 2012.
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