IT'S BEEN A SPECIAL YEAR
Tyler Ray
June 2, 2011
2:34 PM
editor's note: Tyler, along with two other Trojans were named All-Americans by Louisville Slugger and Collegiate Baseball Newspaper on Thursday. Congrats.
In my first blog, I mentioned why we were going to be a special team this year. We have done that and more. This is has been a memorable year for our team and me individually:
-We continuously gave the home crowd something to cheer for going 30-5 at “The Pace”. We won every series that was played at home. That is something to be proud of as a Trojan baseball fan. That isn’t possible without all the support we received every game day.
- After getting off to a red hot start, we were able to find ourselves in Top 25 polls all across the country. We were the first team in Troy Athletic history to produce a Top 25 ranking. That was special for our team to accomplish that and was nice to know we were getting credit for our work on the field. Not to mention the fact, seeing “#__ Troy Trojans” beside our names in articles, pre-game notes, etc., was sweet! The coolest part about all that was when the Auburn game (the beat down) was televised on CSS and the scoreboard on TV had #20 by the Trojans for the first time ever. That will instantly gain respect across the country from college baseball fans.
- This team has had to face more adversity than any team I’ve been apart of at Troy. Losing a 90+ inning, senior leader, weekend starter, Drew Hull to surgery. Playing nine straight games against #2 teams in the conference trying to hold the #1 spot. Traveling to ULM in late May while they are fighting to qualify for the Sun Belt tournament, in which they hosted. Finishing the regular season at South Alabama during the final weekend of Coach Steve Kitrells career with thousands in attendance to support. This is all while being chased by the hottest team in country, FIU, who rolled off 18 straight wins…. just to come up 0.5 games short of the ring. Clinching the regular season crown on the final day couldn’t have scripted any better.
- Now we are heading to Nashville, TN in the Vanderbilt regional with an excited bunch of guys ready to keep the season alive. Nobody said the road to Omaha would be easy. Cant wait to see the Trojan Nation in attendance. Its going to be a week to remember!
“ Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6
Tyler Ray #12
@troytrojan12
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Jimmy Hodgskin Blog: IT'S REGIONAL TIME
IT'S REGIONAL TIME
Jimmy Hodgskin
May 31, 2011
10:04 PM
Jimmy Hodgskin
May 31, 2011
10:04 PM
As everybody in Troy should know, we are going to Nashville tomorrow morning for a regional. The series of events leading up to this day were pretty unpredictable. We faced a lot of adversity as a team involving many things, but at the end of the day, we finished out on top and posted 42 wins to this point.
Riding back on the bus Saturday, not playing in the conference championship, left everybody questioning and hoping. We were in a situation that for some reason it was a question if we could or would get in. With the season we had there should have been no doubt, but there was.
The Trojans all gathered on the 4th floor of the stadium tower on Monday morning awaiting the news. Predictions all over the internet and TV had us going to such places as FSU and the ATL, some even had us at Rice. Then there were some predictions that didn't have us in at all. The bottom line is your Troy Trojans popped up on ESPN around 11:45 am and were placed in the Nashville, TN regional.
Being that we are in one of the toughest regionals out there, everybody is ready to bring their best games. Three wins and we move on.
The bottom line is we have to take it one pitch at a time and not get caught up in any other stuff. We play our best game, we will beat them.
We play Oklahoma State Friday at 2pm as Tyler Ray looks to get us rolling on the right tracks. Come out and support you don't want to miss a pitch. 5 more wins...and your Trojans are going to OMAHA!!
Riding back on the bus Saturday, not playing in the conference championship, left everybody questioning and hoping. We were in a situation that for some reason it was a question if we could or would get in. With the season we had there should have been no doubt, but there was.
The Trojans all gathered on the 4th floor of the stadium tower on Monday morning awaiting the news. Predictions all over the internet and TV had us going to such places as FSU and the ATL, some even had us at Rice. Then there were some predictions that didn't have us in at all. The bottom line is your Troy Trojans popped up on ESPN around 11:45 am and were placed in the Nashville, TN regional.
Being that we are in one of the toughest regionals out there, everybody is ready to bring their best games. Three wins and we move on.
The bottom line is we have to take it one pitch at a time and not get caught up in any other stuff. We play our best game, we will beat them.
We play Oklahoma State Friday at 2pm as Tyler Ray looks to get us rolling on the right tracks. Come out and support you don't want to miss a pitch. 5 more wins...and your Trojans are going to OMAHA!!
Sunday, May 22, 2011
2011 Sun Belt Conference Champions
What a finish to an unbelievable 2011 regular season in Mobile. The Trojans found a way to seal the regular season conference championship on the last day of the season with an improbable 10-7 win on the road. Tyson Workman stole the show with an incredible pitching effort that included his longest outing of his career with the highest pitch count of his career. He was exhausted in the heat of the day and the intensity of the game but kept competing until the last out was secured in deep center field by freshman Ali Knowles. That set off a celebration by a group of players that earned our first conference title since 2006.
This group of players has continued to show a steady resolve that has led them to this moment and allowed them to secure the championship they so desperately coveted from the first day of fall practice. For seniors Adam Bryant, Drew Hull and Daniel Peterson, all four year players in our program, their look of accomplishment after the game yesterday was something a coach will always remember. In particular, we were all proud that Drew was in Mobile as he was not active due to his surgery but was such a HUGE part of our team and our success this season. He will forever be known as a champion along with all of the 2011 Trojans. It's hard to truly quantify what Adam Bryant means to me personally and to this team. He will go down as one of the best players to ever wear the Trojan uniform and for him to lead our team to the championship on his 22nd birthday will be a cherished memory for many years to come.
Each player on the roster had their bright moments throughout the season in the 40-win season and the championship. Tyler Ray started the year as the Friday night starter and his work led us to win the first game of each series for 13 weeks in a row, which has never been done before here at Troy. His regular season will long be remembered by all who follow the Trojans. The starting pitching was dominant early in the season as the bullpen and offense tried to find their groove. Down the stretch, the offense began to produce more consistently and the bullpen, led by Nate Hill and Workman, settled into their roles and carried the team.
As a former Trojan, it gives me great pride to see our players celebrate their achievements because I see their hard work and commitment each and every day. They earned this championship starting in the fall, fought off one of the best teams in the country playing their best baseball of the season in FIU to secure the title and deserve to be called CHAMPIONS! It's hard to explain how fortunate I am to be involved with the program I played for, work for such a quality person in Coach Pierce and be around the type of players we have here in Troy. It is with tremendous pride that we always say GO TROJANS!
This group of players has continued to show a steady resolve that has led them to this moment and allowed them to secure the championship they so desperately coveted from the first day of fall practice. For seniors Adam Bryant, Drew Hull and Daniel Peterson, all four year players in our program, their look of accomplishment after the game yesterday was something a coach will always remember. In particular, we were all proud that Drew was in Mobile as he was not active due to his surgery but was such a HUGE part of our team and our success this season. He will forever be known as a champion along with all of the 2011 Trojans. It's hard to truly quantify what Adam Bryant means to me personally and to this team. He will go down as one of the best players to ever wear the Trojan uniform and for him to lead our team to the championship on his 22nd birthday will be a cherished memory for many years to come.
Each player on the roster had their bright moments throughout the season in the 40-win season and the championship. Tyler Ray started the year as the Friday night starter and his work led us to win the first game of each series for 13 weeks in a row, which has never been done before here at Troy. His regular season will long be remembered by all who follow the Trojans. The starting pitching was dominant early in the season as the bullpen and offense tried to find their groove. Down the stretch, the offense began to produce more consistently and the bullpen, led by Nate Hill and Workman, settled into their roles and carried the team.
As a former Trojan, it gives me great pride to see our players celebrate their achievements because I see their hard work and commitment each and every day. They earned this championship starting in the fall, fought off one of the best teams in the country playing their best baseball of the season in FIU to secure the title and deserve to be called CHAMPIONS! It's hard to explain how fortunate I am to be involved with the program I played for, work for such a quality person in Coach Pierce and be around the type of players we have here in Troy. It is with tremendous pride that we always say GO TROJANS!
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Kanorris Davis on ESPN.com
For those of you who don't have a subscription to the INsiders portion of ESPN.com, here is what Bruce Feldman had to say about Kanorris Davis.
5. Kanorris Davis, LB, Troy Trojans
The Trojans have a couple of guys who could've made the Freaks list Top 10. Defensive end Brandon Boudreaux is under 240 pounds and has repped 225 on the bench almost 50 times. But it's the 5-9, 203-pound junior linebacker who really gets Troy strength coach Richard Shaughnessy gushing. Yeah, Davis -- who has forced five fumbles in the past two seasons -- can run a 4.40; however, it's jumping ability that turns heads. Want proof? Check out this video of Davis, whose vertical has been measured at 42 inches, vaulting clear over 6-foot Troy punter Will Goggans (of Santa Claus beard fame) in the weight room. The Trojans' strength coach also points out that Davis even looks like a freak. "The guy needs to be modeling for Calvin Klein," says Shaughnessy, who predicts that Davis can make it to the NFL on his special-teams prowess alone.
Monday, April 25, 2011
We Are Ready For Sun Belt Championship
The 2011 Sun Belt Conference Golf Championship is here.
We had a good week of practice leading up to the tournament, and are feeling confident about the week ahead. The weather is supposed to be warm and sunny, perfect for posting low
numbers.
Troy's team this year will consist of three seniors: Zach Portemont, Chase Whitehead, Reid Merritt; one junior: Ricky Casko; and one freshman: Nathan Kinch. Kyle Thommesen, a freshman, is also at the tournament as an individual. The three seniors are looking to end their college careers on a high note.
On Sunday we played the practice round. The course is in great shape, and the greens are rolling pure. We are coming off of bent grass greens from our last tournament, and are feeling good about putting on similar greens.
The wind blew hard at times, but we were more than up to the challenge.
We get off to an early start on Monday at 8:10 a.m. This will give us a chance to take command of the tournament early by posting a low number.
Ricky Casko
We had a good week of practice leading up to the tournament, and are feeling confident about the week ahead. The weather is supposed to be warm and sunny, perfect for posting lownumbers.
Troy's team this year will consist of three seniors: Zach Portemont, Chase Whitehead, Reid Merritt; one junior: Ricky Casko; and one freshman: Nathan Kinch. Kyle Thommesen, a freshman, is also at the tournament as an individual. The three seniors are looking to end their college careers on a high note.
On Sunday we played the practice round. The course is in great shape, and the greens are rolling pure. We are coming off of bent grass greens from our last tournament, and are feeling good about putting on similar greens.
The wind blew hard at times, but we were more than up to the challenge.
We get off to an early start on Monday at 8:10 a.m. This will give us a chance to take command of the tournament early by posting a low number.
Ricky Casko
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Tyler Ray Blog: HOW SWEEP IT IS
HOW SWEEP IT IS
Tyler Ray
April 24, 2010
7:28 PM
First off, I would like to apologize for my slacking on the blogs recently. We have had a really busy schedule over the past few weeks, we actually had to leave Riddle Pace Field on the weekend for a change and I guess that threw me off. Yes, I know I only play one time a week but I was still very busy with school… only saying that because my parents read this!
This past weekend against Western Kentucky couldn’t have gone any better. They were one game behind us coming into the weekend and now leave four games behind and slipping next week contenders, FAU in to second place at three games behind. It was a statement we needed to make going into the end stretch against the top half of the Sun Belt. We are definitely going to have our work cut out for us during the upcoming month. I wouldn’t want it any other way.
We will be going into that stretch without the best Saturday starter in the conference, potentially the nation. Drew Hull had been nothing but dominate this year and was my backbone in the rotation. It is something that we as baseball players all fear, the name “Tommy John”. Drew was a leader to the pitching staff and brought the most experience to the table. With his last outing of the season against FIU, he was able to set the school’s career record for appearances. You have to be a freak out of the bullpen for a couple years to even sniff that record. It is a shame that this injury occurred when he was the most well rested of his career. Hopefully it will all work out with the medical red shirt and he will come back to Troy throwing some heat. If not, then some pro ball team is going to lucky to have him. My main concern for him is that he is out of his sling by time we are playing on ESPN in Omaha. That’s going to be a long enough bus ride as it is.
“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.” 1 Corinthians 16:13
#12 Tyler Ray (@TroyTrojan12)
Tyler Ray
April 24, 2010
7:28 PM
First off, I would like to apologize for my slacking on the blogs recently. We have had a really busy schedule over the past few weeks, we actually had to leave Riddle Pace Field on the weekend for a change and I guess that threw me off. Yes, I know I only play one time a week but I was still very busy with school… only saying that because my parents read this!
This past weekend against Western Kentucky couldn’t have gone any better. They were one game behind us coming into the weekend and now leave four games behind and slipping next week contenders, FAU in to second place at three games behind. It was a statement we needed to make going into the end stretch against the top half of the Sun Belt. We are definitely going to have our work cut out for us during the upcoming month. I wouldn’t want it any other way.
We will be going into that stretch without the best Saturday starter in the conference, potentially the nation. Drew Hull had been nothing but dominate this year and was my backbone in the rotation. It is something that we as baseball players all fear, the name “Tommy John”. Drew was a leader to the pitching staff and brought the most experience to the table. With his last outing of the season against FIU, he was able to set the school’s career record for appearances. You have to be a freak out of the bullpen for a couple years to even sniff that record. It is a shame that this injury occurred when he was the most well rested of his career. Hopefully it will all work out with the medical red shirt and he will come back to Troy throwing some heat. If not, then some pro ball team is going to lucky to have him. My main concern for him is that he is out of his sling by time we are playing on ESPN in Omaha. That’s going to be a long enough bus ride as it is.
“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.” 1 Corinthians 16:13
#12 Tyler Ray (@TroyTrojan12)
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
End of Golf Career is Bitter-Sweet
Liz Balkcom Blog
Writing this Blog for me is hard because it forces me to think about the end of college golf. Golf has been my life for so long, it’s going to be strange not having it as a job anymore.
Writing this Blog for me is hard because it forces me to think about the end of college golf. Golf has been my life for so long, it’s going to be strange not having it as a job anymore. My college golf career is definitely something that has shaped and molded me into a better person. It has taught me patience, to trust myself, and balance.
It is funny to think about all of the memories that I have made with some of my best friends/teammates. The golf team is a lot like my family. We grow to love one another, lean on one another, and we don’t always agree. All the same, we are always there for each other.
It is going to be hard to close this chapter of my life because I want it to stay like this forever. Just like I was excited to get to Troy, I am excited to see what is in store for my next chapter.
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