Phil Steele’s Troy preview is out

May 24, 2009

By Drew Champlin

My favorite preseason football magazine, Phil Steele, appears to be out. At least it’s on the web. HERE is the PDF for Troy’s preview.

I just love the detail, references a few years back, and mentions of just about every walk-on that was on the spring roster.

Only a couple of things that aren’t right about the offensive depth chart. At left tackle, James Brown is your starter instead of Nic Riley. At right tackle, it’ll likely be Nic Riley with Kyle Wilborn battling him. Tyler Graves is the backup at left tackle.

Right now, the cornerback opposite Jorrick Calvin is freshman Bryan Willis, but I’d guess the battle between he and DeMarcus Robertson will go down to the wire.

Isn’t it great to be talking about football again?

Baseball link

May 23, 2009

By Drew Champlin

HERE is the game story from Troy’s loss to UL-Monroe. We’re still covering the Sun Belt coverage at the Dothan Eagle on dothaneagle.com. You can find some game recaps HERE.

I’ll post some baseball recap/lookahead thoughts Monday after I talk to one of the coaches for a follow-up story. I’d hate to tell you today that I have high hopes for any player and come to find out they’re not coming back.

Troy eliminated, season likely over

May 22, 2009

By Drew Champlin

The quick turnaround from last night’s tough loss hurt Troy, as they fell 16-1 to UL-Monroe.

At 33-23 (2-4 in last 6) that likely ends Troy’s season. Head coach Bobby Pierce doesn’t expect to get good news Monday for the NCAA regional selection show, nor will he be sweating it.

“We were ready to play, but baseball’s one of those games where the ball falls your way and it didn’t fall our way,” first baseman Daryl Otwell said.

HERE is Troy’s signing clas from the fall, but pitcher Joey Delgado won’t qualify academically. Chase Whitley from Southern Union JUCO is one to watch as an infielder/closer. Troy has signed some guys in the spring and will sign some more, but other than Wallace-Dothan infielder T.J. Rivera, I’m not sure who they are. I do know the heavy emphasis is on pitching.

Not sure of the exact date of the MLB Draft, but the two underclassmen that could get drafted and go are RHP Jason Walls and C Steven Felix.

Some thoughts before I head back up to Troy

By Drew Champlin

Got home at 2 a.m. in Dothan. Hopefully Troy’s players were in bed by then before today’s 12:30 p.m. elimination game against ULM after the heartbreaking loss to Western Kentucky.

Troy has to win four games in two days or the Trojans’ season is over, most likely. That means 10 pitchers have to throw 36 sufficient innings (I guess that’s the best word to describe it). There are 11 on the 25-man roster and I suppose everyone except Thursday starter Tyler Ray will be available.

It was surprising to see Jason Walls come on in the later part of the game, but I would think he could still start a game today if needed. Head coach Bobby Pierce wasn’t sure who would start vs. ULM, but I’m still guessing Andrew Dickinson or Steven Morelock. Walls or Robby Loew could be other possibilities.

ULM can hit and might have a pitcher who can throw a few innings against a Trojan team that will be reeling after the loss and you have to worry if they will come out flat or not. Two years ago, that happened against South Alabama in an elimination game after losing a late game to UL-Lafayette the night before.

WKU is very good. They’re as good, if not better, than Troy in 2006 offensively. The murderer’s row of Matt Hightower, Wade Gaynor, Chad Cregar and Matt Rice is as good as I’ve seen.

Chris Sorce has dominated everyone he’s faced out of the pen this year except WKU for some reason. He’ll likely be needed tonight and tomorrow as well if Troy’s still playing tomorrow.

Two hitting starts of earlier in the year could find themselves out of the lineup. Michael Precise and Ryan Ditthardt were both pulled midway through the game - Precise after two strikeouts and Ditthardt after he swung at a first pitch with two runners on and no outs (I guess that’s why he got pulled. No word if he got injured). It means you may see more of Daryl Otwell, who did well last night, and potentially Steven Rosado, which would put Miles Hoyle at DH and Chad Watson in LF.

As great as last night’s game was and the one before it between MTSU and ULL, it still confirms what I’ve said about the tournament (and every other tournament in the country) needing to be 6 teams. That means 3 games a day instead of 4 and no one’s playing until 1 a.m. unless there’s been a bunch of rain.

Heard the 2012 tournament will be in the minor league park up in Bowling Green, Ky. Next year it’s up in Middle Tennessee and the year after it’s at ULM. I’m sure it’ll be back in Troy soon. It’s been very well-run. Especially from the hospitality tent, where no one has left hungry. There’s plenty of people who have been responsible for putting on such a great show behind the left field fence for media and hospitality, and they’re a big reason I was excited to get back up early and drive back to Troy. Although, the tournament has been great to watch.

Done rambling. I’ll try not to twitter as much during the games today, but see you at the park.

Troy falls, 14-11

By Drew Champlin

A late-inning rally, well offensive explosion, led to WKU beating Troy 14-11.

I don’t have much from this as I’m about to head to Dothan then come right back in the morning. Jason Walls came on to pitch late, so I would guess either Andrew Dickinson or Steven Morelock gets the start in a 12:30 p.m. elimination game against UL-Monroe.

Lose that and season’s over. Win that and play WKU again at 7:30.