Super Bowl Update

I talked to coach Bobby Pierce, who is up in Vermont right now watching Logan Pierce play in the Northeast Collegiate Baseball League. Logan and Danny Collins are having very good summers, as you can read in this Troy release. I've got a story planned on Collins later this week as he's been smashing the ball. Signee Austin Sullivan, a pitcher, is also in that league and did well while he was pitching as a reliever, which he was recruited to do at Troy.

Pierce said LHP Jimmy Hodgskin is transferring to the University of Tampa, a Division II school, for his junior season. Hodgskin was a 43rd round pick by the Phillies out of high school, but never really developed into that consistent pitcher for Troy. He battled arm problems last year, going 1-1 with a 7.12 ERA, and went 3-7 with a 4.68 ERA as a freshman.

No other roster notes, as far as changes. Pierce had good injury reports on guys like catcher Brandon Brown (thumb), pitchers Shane McCain and Ryan Sorce (missed last year after arm surgeries), infielder Kyle Brown (hip) and outfielder Josh McDorman (shoulder). Those guys should be good to go this fall. The pitching staff will especially be bolstered by the return of veterans like McCain and Sorce, both of whom had key roles on the 2011 Sun Belt championship team before getting hurt.