Super Bowl Update

Here's the third and final preview before Troy's season-opening baseball weekend. Troy's outfield looks to be pretty deep and talented. A good bit of options here.

"It's a nice group of players," Troy head coach Bobby Pierce said on Monday. "We'll try to utilize each guy's strengths all season and look to use the hot bats from week to week. Matchups and health issues will determine which direction we want to go. Whoever ends up starting, I couldn't really call out three names right now."

Senior Boone Shear has been the most consistent of the bunch, Pierce said, and he'll play left and right field and hit in the 4 and 5 spots.

Senior Josh McDorman is expected to have a big statistical jump from last season with regular at-bats. He's been a big power guy and can swing from center field to left field or even get some at-bats at DH.

Look for those two to have a consistent spot in the lineup. The rest just depends on what else is going on.

Sophomore Ali Knowles suffered a concussion last week, and the hope is that he's ready to go. "He's still our best overall defensive outfielder," Pierce said. "Due to injuries here and there, his offense hasn't progressed where we want it to be, but we feel pretty good about him. If Ali is not in the game as a starter, he's definitely a player you want to get in the game late to take advantage of his skills."

Freshman Jo-El Bennett is a talent that should find himself in the lineup more often than not. He spurned an 11th round draft offer by the Pittsburgh Pirates to play at Troy.

Junior college transfer Chase Mathis has been hot and cold, Pierce said, but he'll play some and he'll bring some power from the left side of the plate.

Redshirt freshman Clay Holcomb has shown some big-time promise.

"He's the fastest guy on our team and a very electric player," Pierce said. "There are ways we can use him - spot start, baserunning, defensive replacement - where we feel like he can be effective."

Sophomore Hayden Hillyer (pictured above, Eagle file photo) had some good moments as a freshman from the left side of the plate. Right now, he's been sidelined by a shoulder injury that seems to be affecting the nerves as well, Pierce said, and his early status is questionable. He also missed the fall with an injury.

"He was unable to even practice, much less play last week," Pierce said. "We need a healthy Hayden so hopefully we can figure out what the problem is."

Pierce didn't mention Tyson Workman with the outfielders, but Workman played outfield all last season. While it looks like he's full go with second base and relief pitching, I suppose Workman's an option here if need be.