NASHVILLE – The Trevecca Nazarene University baseball season begins Friday when the Trojans visit Montevallo, Alabama for a three-game series with the Montevallo Falcons.
With two first-place votes, the Trojans were recently predicted to finish third in the Great Midwest's western division behind Kentucky Wesleyan and Tiffin.
Coming off a 28-22 (20-10 in G-MAC) finish last season, the Trojans fell to Lake Erie College in the second round of the Great Midwest Athletic Conference tournament. Notable amongst the 12 players who departed since 2018-19 are career sluggers Sam Mang (assistant coach) and Javier Lopez along with talented left-handers Jesse Peters and Jake Roberson.
LOOK AT THE SCHEDULE:
Home Games = 27
Away Games = 20
Neutral Sites = 4
THE TROJANS BY CLASS:
Freshmen = 11
Sophomores = 7
Juniors = 14
Seniors = 11
27 returners
17 newcomers (8 transfers)
WHAT TO WATCH FOR:
How will Ethan Harrison's return to the starting lineup boost the Trojans offensively?
- Despite missing last year due to injury, Harrison had been a consistent bat and defensive present in the middle infield for the Trojans. Adding a career .360 hitter and glove back into the mix should create options for coach Ryan Schmalz.
Can Bryant Goolsby follow-up a terrific freshman campaign?
- The DH never missed a game last season where he hit .333 drove in 36 runs and scored 38 times. Goolsby earned a spot on the G-MAC All-Conference first team.
Who's pitching tonight?
- The graduation of first-team All G-MAC right-hander Jake Roberson leaves the number one starter position up for grabs. Davis Jackson, Jay Benard, Tiger Cox and Cole Alsup among others return for the Trojans. Look for the Trojans' rotation to take shape early in the season, but expect changes on the mound as seven new arms have joined the team.
FIRST PITCH:
The Trojans take the field for the first time in 2020 on Friday in Montevallo, Alabama for a three-game series with the Montevallo Falcons. The Trojans play a single game at 2:00 PM on Friday and a doubleheader beginning at 1:00 PM on Saturday.
COACH SCHMALZ:
Ryan Schmalz begins his 8th season as the program's second-winningest coach with 222 career victories. Schmalz collected his 200th win last season with a 7-6 victory against Saginaw Valley State University. Each of his previous seven teams has produced a winning record in conference play, with last year's squad tallying 20. Trojan teams coached by Schmalz are 116-40 in conference play all-time. The two-time G-MAC Coach of the Year has directed three teams to Great Midwest Athletic Conference Championships and two more squads to regular season G-MAC titles.
MORE ABOUT THE TREVECCA TROJANS
Visit Official Home of Trevecca Athletics at www.tnutrojans.com
Click for Live Stats / Live Video of home games
Follow on Social Media - Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Photos | Free Newsletter
#ChristianScholarAthlete
