Troy University’s baseball team concluded its opening weekend at Mercer with a doubleheader split on Saturday. The Trojans suffered a 17-5 run-rule defeat in the first game, but rebounded to claim a 19-3 run-rule victory in the nightcap, preventing a series sweep.
Mercer’s offense was strong in Game One, recording 16 hits and three home runs over seven innings. Troy starter Noah Thigpen pitched 2.2 innings, allowing seven runs—six earned—on four hits with one strikeout. The Bears’ scoring included two home runs within the first two innings and a ten-run sixth inning against Troy’s bullpen. Miguel Hugas of Mercer secured the win by pitching five innings, giving up only one earned run.
Troy managed eight hits and drew five walks during the early contest, but most of their runs came after Mercer had established a large lead.
In Game Two, Troy took control early when sophomore Jimmy Janicki hit a two-run homer off Mercer starter Jackson Gaspard in the third inning. Janicki finished with a career-high five RBIs, including an RBI single in the fourth and a two-run single in the fifth inning. Troy forced Gaspard out after just 2.1 innings and faced eight different relievers from Mercer throughout the game.
The Trojans totaled 16 hits—their highest since March 16, 2025—and saw home runs from Nico Azpilcueta, Steven Meier, and Aaron Piasecki, each marking their first homers of the season for Troy. Drew Nelson stood out across both games with five hits on eight at-bats and reached base via hit-by-pitch twice.
On the mound in Game Two, Troy’s pitching staff collected 13 strikeouts over seven innings. Benjamin Stubbs struck out six batters over 3.1 innings while allowing one earned run; Dylan Alonso picked up the win with five strikeouts in relief; Brock Tapper delivered a scoreless sixth before Matt Dill allowed two late runs in the seventh.
Other notable performances included Aaron Piasecki drawing three walks—a personal best—and hitting his first home run as a Trojan. Sean Darnell extended his hitting streak to eleven games dating back to last season by collecting hits in both contests. Steven Meier tied his career high with four RBIs during Game Two, while Drew Nelson set his own career mark for hits in that same game.
Head coach Skylar Meade commented on his team’s performance: “You will look back at some point inevitably during this year, and say, ‘man, that was really good that you won that Sunday Game [Game Three]’. It was never going to be easy. Would we have liked to have two or three? Of course. I don’t think people really appreciate what you’re walking into. This is a tough place. A really good team. We needed to play better, do some things, and get guys to handle their first opportunities better. We’ll learn the pieces quickly against the high level of competition we play.”
Despite losing the series overall, Troy won its series finale under Coach Meade—a scenario where they now hold a record of 36 wins and 23 losses since he began leading the program.
Next up for Troy is an away midweek matchup against Mississippi State on Tuesday.
