University Troy University Head coach Mark Smartt (2nd year) Founded 1931 Home ground Riddle–Pace Field | Location Troy, AL Nickname Trojans Conference Sun Belt Conference | |
Home stadium Riddle-Pace Field
(Capacity: 2,000) Colors Cardinal, Silver, and Black | ||
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. As of the end of the 2013 season, its overall record is 1,568-921-3. 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.
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History
As early as the turn of the century, Troy fielded an intercollegiate baseball team, but school records only date back to 1931. In 1931, 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. The field was relocated because of baseballs breaking the windows of Shackelford Hall.
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.
In 1979, Troy State hired a Chase Riddle, a manager and scout for the St. Louis Cardinals major league baseball team.
In 1986, the Trojans defeated Columbus State, 5–0, to win the Division II NCAA College World Series. In 1987, they followed up with yet another national championship by defeating Tampa, 7–5.
For his successes, head coach Chase Riddle was named National Head Coach of the Year in 1986 and 1987.
Upon transitioning from Division II to Division I, Troy finished their time in Division II with a 38-25 overall record against competition in NCAA Regionals.
After head coach John Mayotte helped lead Troy into their new era of Division I baseball, he led the team to their first NCAA Regional in 1995, just Troy's second season of being in Division I. Troy was eliminated 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.
In 2003, Troy hired Bobby Pierce as head coach. In his 4th season, he led Troy to their 3rd appearance in an NCAA Regional, where Troy scored their first victory over another team in a Regional, beating Southern Miss 10-8. Bobby Pierce finished his career with a 450-313 record at Troy, and led the program to their first Top 25 ranking and 4 NCAA Regional appearances, defeating teams like Alabama and Oklahoma State.
Since moving into Division I in 1994, the Trojans have won 6 conference titles, 3 conference tournaments, and have appeared in six NCAA Regionals.
Riddle-Pace Field
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.
All-Americans
Troy has produced 47 All-American players, as well as 6 Academic All-Americans. The program has also had 32 players taken in the MLB Draft since 1979.
Championships and titles
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 15 conference championships and two D-II national championships since its inception.
Division II national championships
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.
Then head coach Chase Riddle was named National Head Coach of the Year in 1986 and 1987.
Attendance
Starting in 2007, Troy has ranked in the top 50 nationally in home attendance in six straight seasons.
Attendance Records
Below is a list of Troy's top ten single-game attendance figures.