GREENWOOD, Ind. – The Great Midwest Athletic Conference conducted interviews with Trevecca Nazarene head coach Ben Tyree and sophomore infielder Bailey Alexander as part of this year’s softball season preview.
In 2015, the Trojans made school and conference history as they went to the 2015 NCAA Division II Midwest Region No. 2 finals. TNU cleaned up the individual awards by winning G-MAC Offensive Player of the Year (Lindsey Stephens), G-MAC Pitcher of the Year (Haley Fagan) and G-MAC Coach of the Year (Tyree). TNU had many players named to the all-conference team and it ended the season going 40-10 overall and 20-1 in the G-MAC. It was no surprise that Trevecca Nazarene was again picked first unanimously in the G-MAC Preseason Coaches Poll.
After the success of 2015, the Trojans come back to the 2016 season with more talent from eight freshmen, five sophomores, two juniors and four seniors. Weather permitting, opening day for Trevecca Nazarene is tentatively this Friday for a home doubleheader against Bellarmine.
The Trojans also received two votes in the NFCA Division II Preseason Coaches Poll.
Hitting: Alexander, an all-conference first-team performer and the 2015 G-MAC batting champ, is just one of many consistent hitters for the Trojans with a .408 average and 28 RBI last season…The other part of a dominant middle infield is Ansley Brantley, a dynamic leadoff shortstop with range…She sets the table for the offense with a home run swing and an average over .360...Brantley tied for the conference lead in homers with 13…Other impact hitters include Danielle Tyson (over .400 BA), Alex Richardson and postseason hero Shelby Andrews…Stephens’ player-of-the-year production will be missed along with corner infielder Mackenzie Leding and dual position standout Kelsey Kemp…The Trojans still have more than enough offensive firepower to get the job done and cause fits for opposing pitching...Keep an eye on a number of freshmen to emerge throughout the spring as they enter as relative unknowns to fans around the league.
Pitching: Fagan returns to the circle for her senior year to complete what has been a dominant career to this point...She is the consummate shutdown ace…The two-time G-MAC Pitcher of the Year is the career conference record holder in ERA, wins, opponent batting average, complete games and shutouts…Fagan anchors a Trojan rotation that led the conference in ERA and strikeouts a year ago...Stephens and Kemp also pitched to combined for 14 wins last year...Sammie Jo Ivy should take on an increased role after going 3-0 with a 2.08 ERA in 2015.
Coaching: Tyree is entering his eighth year as head coach of the Trojans…He is a three-time G-MAC Coach of the Year selection and has won nearly 77 percent of his games since entering the league in 2013…He led his team to the conference’s first-ever appearance in the NCAA Championship Midwest Regional last year.