BASEBALL

Following the program’s first NCAA Regional appearance in 25 years, Beth Mullins and her squad have reloaded and are looking to make another run in the 2022 season. The Trojans graduated just two members of last year’s squad in Katie Webb and Kynsley Rae Blasingame. On the flip side, Troy returns NFCA First Team All-South Region selection Kelly Horne, who set a new program record in single-season program record with a .495 on-base percentage. At the plate, the Trojans also return three of their four all-conference selections. Alongside Horne, Jade Sinness and Katie Lively, both All-Conference First Team members, will suit back up in the cardinal and white for the Trojans. Sinness came just one run scored short of tying Troy’s single-season record (53). The freshman ranks second in runs scored behind Troy Hall of Famer Sandy Atkins. Hometown favorite Leanna Johnson will also return to the circle for the circle looking to continue rewriting the Troy record book. Following last season, Leanna Johnson tied for seventh in single-season shutouts with seven, a mark she also achieved back in 2019. Johnson also ranked fifth in single-season wins (21) and sixth in strikeouts (260). Johnson surpassed the 500 career strikeouts milestone en route to a shutout win over UT Arlington. Needing seven strikeouts to reach 500, Johnson fanned 10 Mavericks to become just the second Trojan in program history to reach the milestone. As a whole, The Trojans set a new program record in fewest road losses with seven and best road win percentage at .800. With the win in the final game of Troy’s road series against ULM, head coach Beth Mullins earned her 200th career victory. Coincidentally, the head coach’s 100th win was also at ULM back in 2018.

In the off season, Troy added four freshman and a transfer from Liberty to reload the squad. Troy added two pitchers, two infielders and an outfielder in Brookelyn Cannon, Emma Grace Walker, Aayannah Hughes, Taylor McKinney and Blake Gibson. The Trojans will return in full force, playing host to a pair of home tournaments during the first two weeks of the season. Full details on the 2022 schedule will be released in the coming weeks.