NASHVILLE – The Trevecca Nazarene University baseball season begins Friday (February 11) when the Trojans take the field for the first time since making a run to the 2021 NCAA Division II College World Series. The Trojans are scheduled to play two games with Rockhurst University, one Friday and one Saturday, and one game on Saturday with Belmont Abbey.

The Trojan's success in 2021 propelled the 2022 team to significant heights in several preseason polls. With four first-place votes in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference Preseason Coaches Poll, the Trojans are predicted to repeat their 2021 Great Midwest championship. Additionally, the Trojans are picked in the top spot as the NCAA Division II Midwest Region preseason poll and the favorite to repeat as the Midwest Region champion. It is the first time the program has been ranked No. 1 in the NCAA Midwest Region. The Trojans gained historic rankings in two national preseason polls with those credentials in tow. Trevecca is No. 8 in the Collegiate Baseball Newspaper poll and No. 6 in the NCBWA (National College Baseball Writers Association) poll. It is their highest ranking in either poll. 

2020-2021 RECAP

The Trojans produced a 36-13 overall record and won the Great Midwest regular season with a 23-5 mark. The top seed proved equal to the measure by sweeping through the G-MAC Tournament, winning the Championship game against Tiffin. The Trojans swept the tournament despite having 11 players sit out due to covid protocol. The championship advanced TNU to the NCAA Midwest Region for the first time in the NCAA Era. The Trojans won the Midwest Region, ultimately earning their spot in the NCAA Div. II College World Series. Obviously also another first in school history. 

Trevecca went on four different stretches of four-game winning streaks during the regular season, including an impressive 12-3 record in May. In fact, the Trojans won 21 of the 25 games just before heading to the college world series. 

The Trojans lost 15 seniors, ten of which were super seniors. They will be hard to replace. All-American and Trevecca save leader Jay Benard is gone. Drew Pierce, who went undefeated, moved on to law school. Ace Chase Haley went 7-1 with 61 strikeouts is gone. Three-fourths of the infield is gone – Joe McNamee, Trey Vanderpool, and Ethan Harrison. John O'Dwyer finished second on the team in RBI, and third in home runs is gone from left field. Regulars Dalton Mauldin, John Anderson, and Justin Chavin have also moved on. Tiger Cox, who produced an unforgettable season and career, is another hanging it up. Others arms who finished their career include Tyler Koprowski, Chase Douglas, Andrew Blount, and Dalton Heath. 

2021-2022 OUTLOOK

To replace the 15 seniors, Chase Sain and his staff brought in eight transfers (four sophomores, two juniors, two seniors) and nine first-year students. 

The freshmen: Jackson Moon (Chatham, Ontario), Frankie Carreras (Murfreesboro), Josh Seiler (Maryville), Alex Fernandez (Smyrna), Caleb Marks (Murfreesboro), James Dickson (Franklin), Jonathan Burns (Christiana), Denton Coquyt (Orlando, FL), and Connor Doughty (Clarksville).

The transfers: Logan West (Louisburg College/Bladenboro, NC), Henry Mosley (Vol State/Hermitage), Justin Campbell (Tulane/Troy, Michigan), Caleb Bly (Oklahoma Baptist/ Midlothian, Texas), Paxton Hughes (Calhoun/Murfreesboro), Roland Ryan (Calhoun/Knoxville), Jackson Odette (Roane State/Mt. Juliet), Mason Wells (Gonzaga/Mainesville, OH)

Trevecca starts the 2022 season with 13 non-conference games. The Trojans host Rockhurst on February 11 and play a spite doubleheader with Rockhurst and Belmont Abbey on February 12. A single game at Alabama Huntsville precedes a three-game home slate with Lewis University on February 18-19. Truman comes to the Hill for a four-game homestand February 25-26. A three-game trip to Southern Indiana is next March 4-5. 

The Trojans open Great Midwest play at Kentucky Wesleyan March 11-12. A midweek game at Union in Jackson, TN, on March 25 comes before the Trojans host their first Great Midwest home series when Ohio Dominican visits March 18-19. Union returns the favor and plays at Jackson Field March 22 just before the Trojans host Hillsdale March 25-26 to close out the month. 

In Findlay, OH, Trevecca opens April (1-2) with a four-game two-day series against the Oilers. A non-conference game rolls on the schedule next, Trevecca visits Lee University on April 5 to face former Trojan Mark Brew's Flames. Next, Lake Erie visits Jackson Field for four games (April 8-9). The Trojans hit the road for the next five, the first four at Tiffin (April 15-16) in conference play and the fifth a non-conference tilt at Lincoln Memorial on April 19. A four-game series (April 22-23) with Cedarville at Jackson Field and a single non-conference midweek game (April 26) with Alabama Huntsville complete the home regular-season schedule. The final G-MAC series takes the Trojans to Walsh (April 29-30). 

The Trojans return Braden Odom, the senior who earned D2CCA and NCBWA All-Region honors a year ago and is on the NCBWA Preseason All-Region team this year. In 2021, Odom hit .355 with 53 RBIs and 48 runs scored, including nine home runs, and stole 15 bases. Alex Clothier returns following earning a Great Midwest and TSWA Pitcher of the Week awards and contributed a 4-1 record and two complete games. Shawn Wallwork was named Great Midwest and TSWA Player of the year honors. 

Jordan Jackson missed the postseason due to an injury after a strong junior season in right field. Jackson hit .343 with 29 runs scored, seven doubles, two triples, a home run, and 25 RBI. Bryan Goolsby provided pop again with a .322 average, four doubles, six homers, 30 RBI, and 15 walks. David Milam made noise behind the plate, cutting down opposing runners at a spectacular pace. Milam drew a team-high 27 walks and 11 hit by pitch. Davis Jackson went 4-2 with a save. In his first season, Brooks Helton produced a 2-1 mark and had 24 strikeouts in 22 innings pitched. 

COACH SAIN:

Chase Sain led his first collegiate team to an appearance at the NCAA Division II College World Series and went 36-13, 23-5 in G-MAC to win the Great Midwest regular season and tournament champions. He led the team to its first NCAA Midwest Regional and won the region to advance to the world series in Cary, NC. For his work, Sain earned the Tennessee Baseball Coaches Association Division II Coach of the Year, Great Midwest Athletic Association Coach of the Year, and the American Baseball Coaches Association Midwest Region Coach of the Year awards. 

LOOK AT THE SCHEDULE:

Home Games = 27

Away Games = 23

THE TROJANS BY CLASS:

Freshmen = 13

Sophomores = 14

Juniors = 6

Seniors = 12

28 returners

17 newcomers (9 freshmen/8 transfers) 

FIRST PITCH:

The Trojans take the field for the first time in 2021 on Friday at home versus Rockhurst. The Trojans play a single game at 3:30 PM on Friday and then host Belmont Abbey and Rockhurst once more in a doubleheader beginning at 12:00 PM on Saturday.

MORE ABOUT THE TREVECCA TROJANS

Visit Official Home of Trevecca Athletics at www.tnutrojans.com

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