STAFF FILE PHOTO/ANTHONYWEBER
Nathan Helke, the leading hitter last season, will
be back this year to anchor the team's lineup.
Leading By Example
Veteran Trojans ready for season
March 23, 2012 By Josh Brown Troy Daily News
Troy won’t lack leadership this season — even after losing a large group of seniors.
It'll just take a different form. “Last years seniors were great. They were tremendous leaders, vocal leaders. They'll be hard to replace and we haven’t tried to,” Troy coach Ty Welker said. "These seniors are different this year. They lead quietly, lead by doing."
And among Troy's nine returners from last year is plenty of run-scoring potential. All of our big bats are back. We return a lot of offense this year, Welker said. Key among those bats is senior Nathan Helke, who led the team with 34 RBI, hit a number of game-tying or game-winning home runs and hit .543.
"That's legit," Welker said of Helke. He was first team all-area last year, and he'll definitely anchor our order. He also had zero errors at first base last year, and he will also pitch - and throws hard"
Joining him in the infield will be fellow seniors Nick Antonides at third base, Thomas Harvey at second and junior Dylan Cascaden at shortstop. Seniors Devon Alexander, Jordan Guillozet and Jordan Price and junior Devin Blakely will see time in the outfield, and junior Ian Nadolny will take on the catching duties.
Senior Alex Potchik joins the team after playing mainly JV last year. Juniors Cody Fuller, Jay Swigard and Cam Weaver also will make the move to varsity, and sophomores Joey Benson, Zack Kendall, Ben Langdon and Kevin McGraw will round out the roster.
Helke, Antonides and Alexander bring the most varsity pitching experience to the staff, and Fuller, Weaver, Kendall and Langdon will all be looking to find their roles.
"If we have a question mark, it's our pitching rotation, especially our starters," Welker said. "I think we have the arms, we just don't know where they're all going to fit in. We're going to have to lean on our sophomores a bit, I think. Devon and Nick were mainly relievers last year, and they have to get more innings. Offensively, we've improved. Defensively, we're solid. If we can throw strikes, we've got the big bats to back them up."
Going into the Greater Western Ohio Conference North Division portion of the schedule, the Trojans know who to aim for. "I think Butler is the team to beat - not just in the league, but in the area," Welker said. "They're definitely going into the season favored to win it.
"Piqua was improved last year and returns quite a few starters, as well, Sidney always hits and Greenville has a new coach. I think it will be us, Piqua and Butler."
But after last season's run rule exit from the tournament at the hands of Springboro in the second round after a bye, the Trojans loaded up the schedule this year to toughen the team up for a lengthier run.
"We've got a daunting schedule this year. Doubleheaders against Centerville and Fairmont - our schedule is not an easy one. And that's OK," Welker said. "We were a little defensive in the tournament last year. We don't want to go in already back on our heels. I want a team that can be ready for a playoff run, seeing good competition and the best pitching throughout the year."
Troy kicks off the season Saturday at Springfield Shawnee.
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Troy Tops Springfield Shawnee
March 24, 2012 Staff Reports Troy Daily News
TROY - It wasn't exactly the way it was planned. But sometimes surprises are nice.
Devon Alexander, a closer last season, pitched a complete game four-hit shutout Saturday as the Troy Trojans held an impromptu home opener against Springfield Shawnee after an overnight rain rendered the Braves' home field - where the game was originally scheduled to take place - unplayable.
"Devon was the man. He was fun to watch today," Troy coach Ty Welker said. "He threw strikes, he got ahead of batters, he induced a lot of ground balls and we played solid defense behind him.
"I said earlier this week that starting pitching would be our question mark - and Devon stepped up in our first game."
Alexander also played a big role in pushing runs across as Troy's bats were held in check for the most part. He led of the game with a strikeout but reached on a wild pitch, stole second and eventually scored the game's first run on a walk. Alexander also added an RBI sac fly in the second inning that made it 2-0 at the time.
And in the third, the Trojans got their only two hits of the game. Ian Nadolny doubled, and Dylan Cascaden - who also drew the run-scoring walk in the first inning - doubled him in.
"We manufactured runs today," Welker said. "We had three walks in the first inning and really worked the count. Our top four guys didn't have a hit in the game, but we still win. We'll take that every time.
"It was just a really well-played game on both sides. They're a solid team, and this was a good baseball game. And we were able to get it in because of the shape our field is kept in."
Troy hosts Wayne Monday in its originally-scheduled home opener and continues the homestand Tuesday against Carroll.
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Trojans off to a 2-0 Start
March 27, 2012 Staff Reports Troy Daily News
TROY - Sophomore pitcher Ben Langdon struck out six batters and allowed only five hits in six innings, Nick Antonides came on to get the save as the Troy Trojans walked away with a narrow 2-1 victory over Wayne on Monday.
"Langdon did a real nice job," Troy coach Ty Welker said. "He had six strikeouts, walked three and only scattered five hits. He's a sophomore who came in and stepped up big.
"Nick came in (in the seventh inning) and struck out the side. He did his job."
Antonides and Nathan Helke each doubled in the winning effort. The Trojans - which recorded no errors in the win - move to 2-0 on the season.
"We are playing nice defense right now, but the bats aren't quite alive yet," Welker said. "We need to get more aggressive at the plate. Hopefully we can get things turned around."
The Trojans host Carroll today.
Troy Daily
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The right answers
Trojans stay unbeaten with 3-2 victory
March 27, 2012 By Josh Brown Troy Daily News
Going into the season, Troy coach Ty Welker thought he knew what the questions about this year's Trojans would be.
And even though it hasn't turned out exactly that way, one thing is certain - the Trojans have always had the right answer.
Cody Fuller threw four quality innings against Carroll, Ian Nadolny hit a tie-breaking double in the bottom of the fifth and Nathan Helke slammed the door shut over the final three innings, all three performances adding up to a 3-2 Troy victory Tuesday at Market Street Field to keep the Trojans undefeated at 3-0 on the season.
"I still say our question is going to be our pitching," Welker said. "But in three games now, we've given up zero, one and two runs. That's where we'll have to work the hardest this year. But one time through the rotation, I'm very, very pleased."
Fuller struck out three, walked three and gave up three hits - with all of the hits coming in a two-run third inning by the Patriots, a leadoff single by James Wheeler, an RBI single by Nate Hemmert and an RBI double by Andrew Raiffe to put Troy down 2-0.
But that just seemed to wake the Trojans up.
Devon Alexander kicked off a two-out rally in the bottom of the inning with a walk and Dylan Cascaden was hit by a pitch, bringing up last year's leading hitter, Helke - who promptly doubled over the center fielder's head and brought in both runners, tying the game.
"We've just struggled offensively so far this year," Welker said. "Running the bases, getting timely hits - and today we hit the ball harder than we have been, just right at people. But once they got those two runs, we didn't give up. We switched the lineup around a bit today, having (Nick) Antonides bat behind Helke to give him some protection, so they couldn't just walk him (Helke) every time.
"And we may have to do that more ..." he added with a chuckle.
Fuller then sat the Patriots down one-two-three in the fourth, leaving the game tied before giving way to Helke on the mound.
"We didn't know what Cody's role would be, but with three games in four days and some injuries on our staff, he had to be that third starter," Welker said. "He struggled a little in the third, but the best thing he did was coming back and pitching that fourth inning. After giving up those runs, he could have folded - and he didn't."
Helke took care of the rest, giving up only one single and striking out five in three innings for the win.
"Their dugout kind of deflated when they saw him come in throwing hard," Welker said. "I thought he threw well. He did exactly what he needed to do."
And with runners on first and third and two outs in the fifth, Nadolny - who had stung the ball right at defenders his first two times up - did just what the team needed him to.
Nadolny pulled a shot down the line in left, dropping it in fair territory by inches. It hooked beyond the fence for a ground-rule double, bringing in what proved to be the winning run.
"That was clutch," Welker said. "We've been getting guys on but not getting the big hit. And he did that for us today. That hit was a big one.
And Helke's shot that tied the game came on an off-speed pitch. He hit a really nice ball.
"Hitting isn't the question for us. I'm not worried about that. I know we'll hit. We've just got to get offensive. It's our pitching staff that's kind of day-to-day."
But one question that need not be asked is how the team will play each day.
"These guys always come to play, they do what we ask and they work hard," Welker said. "And we're 3-0 because of it."
Troy puts its unbeaten record on the line on the road for the first time this season at Tecumseh Thursday.
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Helke's Slam Helps Troy Stay Unbeaten
March 29, 2021 Staff reports Troy daily News
NEW CARLISLE - Devon Alexander showed that his opening day performance was no fluke.
Nathan Helke showed why he's dangerous.
And the Troy Trojans are still undefeated.
Alexander pitched his second complete game of the season, shutting down a quality Tecumseh lineup, and Helke hit his first two home runs of the season - one of them a grand slam that put an exclamation point on Troy's 8-2 victory Thursday, the Arrows' first loss of the season.
Alexander struck out six, walked one and gave up eight hits in the win.
"He threw six pitches and faced four batters in the first inning, and they kept swinging at the first pitch in the second. After that, he took control," Troy coach Ty Welker said of Alexander. "He pitched his game, mixed pitches up well and controlled the strike zone. When you've got a guy pitching like that, it makes your offense more relaxed."
If that's the case, Helke was as calm as could be.
Helke hit a solo homer in the first inning, then had an RBI single in the top of the third. After the Arrows tied the game at 2-2 in the bottom of the third, the Trojans put it away.
Troy manufactured a pair of runs to start the top of the fourth - including a suicide squeeze - and then loaded the bases for Helke. Helke - a 30-plus-RBI guy for Troy last year who was 3 for 4 on the day - then cashed in all four runs at once, and Alexander and the errorless Troy defense did the rest.
"He hit the first one off of a curveball while he was behind in the count," Welker said of Helke. "The second he hit off a fastball. He hit to all fields today and is starting to come alive. As a whole, we swung the bats a lot better today."
Nick Antonides and Devin Blakely both went 2 for 3 for Troy, with Blakely scoring twice.
The Trojans, now 4-0, travel to Fairmont for a doubleheader Saturday.
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In a good place
Trojans 5-1 after split with Firebirds
March 31, 2012 Staff Reports Troy Daily News
TROY - Six games into the season - and the Troy Trojans sit at 5-1.
The Trojans had an offensive letdown in their opener against Fairmont on Saturday, stumbling for the first time on the season in an 8-0 loss - but rebounded in the second game by scoring five combined runs in the fifth and sixth to come away with a 7-4 doubleheader split.
"I was talking to my assistant coach about that (our record)," Troy coach Ty Welker said. "We are 5-1 right now, and that's pretty good. Obviously, we are not happy about the first game, but in the big picture, we're happy with where we are."
Nick Antonides and Devin Blakely both doubled for the Trojans in the opener, but that was the extent of Troy's offensive production, as Fairmont's pitchers only gave up three hits total.
"Our offensive approach wasn't good in the first game," Welker said. "We really struggled at the plate. We need to get better in that aspect."
Troy's bats came alive in the next game, racking up nine hits in total. Nathan Helke went 2 for 4 with a double and triple, two RBIs and two runs scored. Jordan Guillozet went 2 for 4 with a double and two RBIs. Kyle Croft pitched an inspired three innings for the Trojans, but Helke came on in relief in the fourth to pick up the win.
"Kyle Croft went out and battled for three innings," Welker said. "He did his job. He only gave up two runs, which kept us in the game. Nathan came on and did his job on the mound. He also had a couple big at-bats that helped us win the game."
The Trojans open Greater Western Ohio Conference North Division play on Monday at Sidney.
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No more questions
Trojans sweep Jackets to start division play
April 3, 2012 Staff Reports Troy Daily News
TROY - Troy's pitching can't be questioned anymore.
The Trojans gave up a combined one run and seven hits over the course of a two-game series with Sidney to open Greater Western Ohio Conference North Division play, knocking off the Yellowjackets 10-1 Monday and blanking them 8-0 Tuesday.
On Tuesday, Devon Alexander threw his third complete game of the season, pitching a two-hit shutout. He struck out five and walked none.
"Devon pitched a dominant game," Troy coach Ty Welker said. "He threw 65 pitches, was very efficient. He's 3-0 now, and he's thrown three complete games."
Troy's bats were relatively quiet on Tuesday in the game played at Sidney, though. The Trojans (7-1, 2-0 GWOC North) didn't pick up their first hit until the fifth inning - a shot that also scored the first run of the game. Troy then posted four in the top of the sixth, and the rout was on.
"Sidney's starter did a nice job, but we had positive at-bats against him," Welker said. "We saw a lot of pitches, drew some walks, got his pitch count up - and he couldn't go past the fifth.
"We left a lot of guys on early, and no one could get the big hit. It wasn't our best offensive performance. But we turned it on late."
The Troy offense had it going from the start at home on Monday, though, posting three in the first inning and never looking back.
Jordan Guillozet was 3 for 3 with a home run and four RBIs, and Nathan Helke stayed hot, going 2 for 3 with a homer, three RBIs and two runs scored. Dylan Cascaden was 3 for 4 with a double, an RBI and three runs and Nick Antonides was 2 for 4 with a double.
That was plenty for sophomore Ben Langdon, who struck out six, walked two and gave up three hits in five innings of work to get the win. Antonides closed the game out in the final two innings.
"Ben had a nice start (Monday)," Welker said. "Starting our first league game of the year as a sophomore, for him to come through like that, he's done a nice job, as well. We really seem to be throwing the ball well."
Troy is off until Saturday. The Trojans host Tippecanoe and West Carrollton in a tri-matchup.
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A Giving Mood
Tipp cashes in on mistakes in win over Troy
April 7, 2012 Troy Daily News By Colin Foster Sports Writer
And it turned out both teams were in the giving mood.
With Troy holding a 2-1 lead on Tippecanoe with two outs in the top of the seventh, a Trojan win appeared to be in the cards. But in an unexpected twist, late-inning drama began to unfold.
Tippecanoe started a rally when Zach Robbins drew a walk, then B.J. Donathan reached base after a Troy error and pinch hitter Nick Muse was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Robbins tied the game at 2-2, scoring when Troy pitcher Nick Antonides was called for a balk. The Red Devil rally was complete when Austin Hadden hit the ball to the shortstop on the next at-bat, which was booted, leading to two more runs — and resulting in a 4-2 come-from-behind win for Tippecanoe Saturday at Market Street Field in Troy.
”We did nothing to earn that win,“ Tippecanoe coach Bruce Cahill said. “We had that walk, an error, a walk and another error that basically gave us that game. It’s really unfortunate for Troy.”
“We did a lot of things wrong that whole game. It wasn’t just that last inning,” Troy coach Ty Welker said. “We didn’t hit the ball well all day, and it was tough for us to take the loss in the last inning like we did.
The story early on was Tippecanoe pitcher Ben Hughes. He worked ahead in the count for most of the second inning — and had his breaking stuff was working — striking out the side to end the inning quickly. Then in the third, it was more of the same by the Tipp sophomore, fanning three more batters, although he did allow a Troy baserunner to reach on a passed ball third strike call. The Trojans, though, failed to cash in.
Spanning from the second to the beginning of the fourth, Hughes struck out seven out of eight Troy hitters he faced. He ended the game with eight Ks while scattering only three hits in six innings of work.
”Ben Hughes pitched well,” Cahill said. “His curveball was on, he had it moving, and that led to some balls getting by our catcher. He didn’t throw that many wild pitches last year. But that was what led them to get their runs. We both got our runs that way. But overall, I thought Ben pitched really well.” “He’s probably one of the best, if not the best, pitchers we have faced all year,” Welker said. “He set the pace. He threw strikes, placed the ball well and dictated what we did. He threw a heck of a game.”
Both teams, though, had their chances to score, but neither succeeded early on. Tipp had runners on the corners in the top of the third and failed to produce, while Troy stranded a runner in scoring position in the bottom of the inning.
The Red Devils left Hughes on the base path in the top of the fourth. Then in the bottom of the fourth, the Trojans missed out on another opportunity after Nathan Helke doubled with one out.
But what was a defensive showcase turned south in the fifth inning as both teams were able to manufacture runs. Tipp took a 1-0 lead in the top half when Robbins made his way around the bases.
After being walked to start the inning, Donathan laid a sacrifice bunt to move him to second, then back-to-back passed balls brought Robbins around to score. And it turned out both teams were in the giving mood.
The Trojans took their 2-1 lead in the bottom of the inning. Thomas Harvey singled, which was followed by Devin Blakely drawing a walk. Tipp’s Hughes threw two balls that got by catcher Donathan, leading Harvey across the plate to tie the score and bringing Blakely into scoring position. Devon Alexander hit a shallow fly to right, which scored the runner and gave the Trojans the lead.
Nick Antonides came on in relief in the sixth, and prior to the rally in the seventh he sizzled, recording five straight outs against Tipp. He recorded the loss on the hill.
“He threw a heck of a sixth inning, but he just didn’t look as effective going into the seventh,” Welker said. “I don’t know. He got those two guys out to open the inning, then he didn’t go after the next guy and walked him. With two outs, that’s not good. Then we start making errors and it all goes down hill. We have to develop that quality of closing games out.”
“I thought all of their guys threw well,” Cahill said. “He (Antonides) dominated us in the sixth.Then we get the walk, and catch those breaks in the seventh.”
Even after Tipp roared back, Troy still had a chance, putting the tying runner on second in the bottom of the seventh. Tipp shortstop Cameron Johnson robbed Ian Nadolny of a hit to start the inning, then Jordan Price popped out. Troy tried to rally with two outs as Harvey trotted to the plate and reached base on an error. Another Tipp error put Blakely on and moved Harvey to third. Blakley stole second, but the win wasn’t meant to be as Alexander hit a liner to center, which was caught by Hadden to end the game, giving Langdon the save in relief.
”Tipp is always a solid baseball team, that’s why we schedule them,” Welker said. “Give them credit. With two outs (in the seventh), they could have folded, but they continued to battle, continued to scrap and believed they were going to get those runners in.”
Troy Daily
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Troy Rebounds in Doubleheader
Beating winless West Carrollton
April 7, 2012 Troy Daily News By Colin Foster Sports Writer
Troy also took down the winless West Carrollton team in its final game, 7-1. Cody Fuller had five strikeouts compared to only two walks, allowing only two hits in the winning effort.
“Cody threw a nice game,” Welker said. “He gave up those two hits, one of them being a homer when we were up 7-0 in the sixth. Other than that, he pitched well. He let the defense play behind him and was in control all game. He was a bright spot for us.”
Helke, who finished off the game on the mound, finished 2 for 4 with an RBI. Ben Langdon had a hit, a run scored and two RBIs for the Trojans, which improve to 8-2 on the year.
The Trojans are back in action Monday, hosting Greenville.
Modified bat changing game for prep baseball
Featuring Nathan Helke and Nick Antonides
April 15, 2012 - Dayton Daily News
Below is the BBCOR article written by the Dayton Daily News on April 15th in the
Sunday Sports. Nathan Helke and Nick Antonides are interviewed and quoted in
the article.
Dayton Daily
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Wave sweeps Trojans
April 10, 2012 Troy Daily News Staff Reports
GREENVILLE - The Troy Trojans let Greenville hang around on Tuesday, and it came back to bite them as Greenville scored two in the fifth and one in the six inning to score a come-from-behind win in Greater Western Ohio Conference North play, 6-5.
"It was back-and-forth through five innings," Troy coach Ty Welker said. "We took a 5-3 lead into the fifth. We walked the leadoff (hitter) in the fifth and sixth innings, and that led to them scoring runs. (Ben) Langdon pitched a good game. He just got into some trouble in the fifth when he walked the leadoff batter."
Langdon lasted five innings before Zach Kindall came on and got the loss. Nick Antonides, Jordan Guillozet and Jordan Price all doubled in the loss.
Troy (8-4, 2-2 GWOC North) plays at Beavercreek on Friday.
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Trojans hammer Beavercreek
Troy scores 11 in last 4 innings, wins 11-5
April 14, 2012 Troy Daily News Staff Reports
BEAVERCREEK - Troy and Beavercreek were dead-locked at 0-0 heading into the fourth.
Then the Trojans got things together, scoring five in the fourth, one in the fifth, three in the sixth and two more in the seventh to close out the Beavers, walking away with an 11-5 victory on Friday.
Cody Fuller was the winner on the mound for the Trojans, striking out five in four innings of work. Zack Kendall came on in the fifth inning and Nathan Helke finished the game off in the seventh for Troy.
At the plate, Dylan Cascaden had two doubles and Devin Blakely doubled.
"They had their ace in (the first four innings)," Troy coach Ty Welker said. "He threw well, and we didn't really get things going. But we had five walks in the fourth and a double, and that's how we got our five runs in the fourth.
"I thought we did a lot of things well offensively," Welker said. "We ran the bases well, did a lot of nice things. We just didn't hit the ball well. Overall, we are going in the right direction. We have lost a lot of close games in the last week, so it was nice to be able to get this one."
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Back in the race
Troy sweeps Butler
April 17, 2012 Troy Daily News Staff Reports
TROY - After beating Butler's ace Taylore Cherry - who committed to playing college baseball for North Carolina - in an 8-4 game in front of several major league scouts on Monday, the Troy Trojans completed the sweep of the Aviators on Tuesday in Troy.
Jordan Guillozet went 3 for 3 with a homer, a double and six RBIs as Troy moved to 4-2 in Greater Western Ohio Conference North play with a decisive 10-5 win over Butler. Dylan Cascaden went 2 for 3 with two runs scored and also doubled in the win.
In yesterday's win, Troy took advantage of Cherry's lack of control on the mound. Troy cashed in after Cherry had two walks and three hit batters in the fifth inning, scoring six runs in the inning to take control. Nathan Helke homered in the fourth inning of the win on Monday. He went 2 for 4 with three RBIs.
But the game ball went to Devon Alexander, who lasted 6 2-3 innings and improved to 4-0 on the season.
"He kept us in the game," Troy coach Ty Welker said. "He was a huge part of what we did. But our defense played well. Devon didn't have any strikeouts, so there were 21 balls in play. Our defense really stepped up.
"Those were two good wins. Vandalia's a top-notch team," Troy coach Ty Welker said. "They always compete for the GWOC title every year. I'm guessing here, but I think they may have won the last 14 out of 16 conference titles. So to get a sweep is nice."
Now the Trojans (11-4, 4-2 GWOC) play at Bellefontaine on Friday.
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Press Pro Magazine
"Troy Baseball: When Helke Hits..."
April 17, 2012 Article
Disappointing Day
Troy swept by state-ranked Centerville
April 21 2012 Troy Daily News By Colin Foster Sports Writer
The Centerville Elks have been bull-rushing through competition this season.
Ranked No. 8 in Division?I, the Elks' only loss was an 8-5 setback to Hamilton on April 7. On Saturday, Centerville came to Troy boasting a 15-1 record - including 6-0 in the Greater Western Ohio Conference Central Division - in hopes of nailing down wins 16 and 17.
Though Troy didn't make it easy, Centerville left Market Street Field with a doubleheader sweep, holding on for a 4-2 win in the opener after late a Troy rally fell short, then winning the second game by a count of 12-2.
Despite the Elks' record and their talent, the fact of the matter is that Troy coach Ty Welker wasn't satisfied - and for good reason.
Troy was held scoreless for the first six innings of Game 1 before making it interesting in the seventh, scoring two runs - but ending the game by leaving the bases loaded. Also not helping matters for the Trojans was the fact that only two of Centerville's four runs were earned, leaving pitcher Devon Alexander with the loss.
"We only gave up two earned runs in that game," Welker said. "We gave them a run in the first on a wild pitch. We made errors and mistakes here and there. But our offense didn't score. We left guys in scoring position. Left the bases loaded in the seventh. We struck out eight times. We just could have made it a better baseball game."
In Game 2, Troy trailed 3-2 in the going into the top of the fifth. And though the Elks had just two hits in the inning, they scored four runs. One hit batter, two walks and one error on Troy's part proved detrimental as Centerville pushed its lead to 7-2.
And once again, Troy didn't help its cause on the offensive side.
Ian Nadolny was hit by a pitch to start the second inning, then Jordan Price doubled to put runners on second and third. Price was caught in a jam on the basepath and called out on a Kevin McGraw grounder on the next at-bat, leaving runners on the corners. But those runners were stranded as the next two hitters struck out.
Then in the third, Troy had something promising going when Nick Antonides, Nathan Helke and Jordan Guillozet led off the inning with three straight base hits, loading the bases for Price - who was walked to bring in Troy's first run. McGraw's single brought in Helke to make the score 3-2. But just when the Trojans had a chance to pounce, the inning ended abruptly with more runners left stranded on the bases.
There were only 13 more Troy players to come to the plate after that point. Centerville recorded three straight one-two-three innings in the fourth, fifth and six.
After two big GWOC North wins over Butler last week, the Trojans (11-7, 4-2 GWOC North) have now suffered a three-game losing streak for the first time this season. Pitcher Ben Langdon - who was 2-0 with an ERA of 2.23 entering Saturday - suffered the loss.
"That's a great baseball team," Welker said. "They are 17-1 now. The score was 3-2 going into the fifth. I'll take that every time.
"We just have these moments where we make mental mistakes. We don't get a double play here, or we make an error. It's a shame we did that to him (Ben Langdon), because that wasn't all on him that inning. He didn't pitch a bad game."
Troy looks to bounce back on Monday, hosting Trotwood.
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Task at hand
Trojans pound out 11 hits, beat Rams, 11-1
April 24, 2012 Troy Daily News Staff Reports
TROTWOOD - Troy has a lot on its plate in the next week.
But even with the potential distractions, the Trojans kept their minds on the business at hand Tuesday - and took care of it.
Troy (13-7, 6-2 Greater Western Ohio Conference North Division) remained in striking distance of a GWOC North title, finishing off Trotwood 11-1 in five innings to remain one game behind the division-leading Piqua Indians - who the Trojans face in a two-game series on Monday and Tuesday.
"We got a lot of guys in these last two nights and did our best to work on some things," Troy coach Ty Welker said. "We've got to keep our focus."
Seven of Troy's 11 hits against the Rams went for extra bases. Nathan Helke was 3 for 3 with a double, a triple and three RBIs, Dylan Cascaden was 2 for 2 with a double and an RBI and Jordan Guillozet, Joey Benson, Jordan Price and Cody Fuller all doubled.
Fuller also got the win on the mound, giving up only three hits.
Troy hosts Springboro Thursday on senior night and travels to Miamisburg on Friday. They then go to Fifth Third Field for a Sunday night game against Fairfield before the showdown against Piqua to kick off next week.
"We're focused on Monday and Tuesday, but we're going to go out and compete in these three games over the next five days," Welker said.
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Down the stretch
Big week for Trojans to end with title matchup
April 25, 2012 Troy Daily News By Josh Brown Sports Editor
Troy coach Ty Welker pays close attention to how his team performs during practice leading up to key stretches.
"The practices we've had have seemed to set the pace for how we've done each week," Welker said. "Before the Greenville series, we didn't have a very good practice. But before Butler, we were really sharp and focused and had a great practice."
And with the biggest five games of the season coming up in the next six days, Welker was extra attentive Wednesday.
Troy has three games beginning today, each with a little special flavor - but none as big as Monday and Tuesday's two-game series with the rival Piqua Indians, two games that will decide the Greater Western Ohio Conference North Division champion.
"The good news is tonight we had a really good practice," Welker said with a chuckle. "We schedule Piqua at the end of each season always assuming or hoping they'll mean something extra special."
And with all of the storylines that typically accompany Troy-Piqua matchups, the GWOC North title thrown into the mix is extra special indeed.
"Butler has dominated the league for the last 20 years," Welker said. "Piqua won it when it was the GMVC in 1994 and 95, but the last time Troy won the league was 1991. So technically, we haven't won the GWOC yet."
"Every year, we focus on winning the GWOC North. And so our focus going into the year is always Butler. That's always our motivation - we know they're working hard, so we have to work hard."
And Troy (13-7, 6-2 GWOC North) made sure that Butler wouldn't be winning the GWOC North this season, sweeping the Aviators 8-4 and 10-5. The Indians (10-7, 7-1 GWOC North) split their season series with Butler - their only loss in divisional play - setting up next week's championship series. Troy, which was swept by Greenville but won all of its other divisional games, must sweep Piqua to claim the title. All the Indians need is one win either Monday or Tuesday.
"Knocking them (Butler) off was a nice accomplishment. We played different in those two games. We didn't play not to lose. We played to win," Welker said. "We prepared for those two games, and the guys stepped up.
"We've got to take that same mentality into the Piqua series."
Before that, though, the Trojans have plenty of other things to keep themselves occupied.
Today, Troy hosts the 16-3 Springboro Panthers - the team that knocked the Trojans out of the postseason in the first round last season. Then on Friday, Troy travels to Miamisburg - the only team to hand the GWOC South-leading Panthers a divisional loss this year.
And finally on Sunday, the night before the Piqua series kicks off at Hardman Field in Piqua, the Trojans take on Fairfield under the lights at the Dayton Dragons' Fifth Third Field at 7 p.m.
Even with all of those potential distractions in the way, Troy has its eyes on the prize.
"The guys and I have talked about keeping our focus and how important Monday and Tuesday are. But We're still going to go out and compete before then," Welker said. "We schedule good teams like Springboro, Miamisburg and Fairfield to get better. Games like that are prepping us for potential league title games and for the tournament. That's our mindset.
"The challenge is going to be pitching. We'll be setting up the guys we want on the mound for Monday and Tuesday, so we'll have to watch who's throwing."
And when Troy does face Piqua, there will be a little added incentive, also.
The Indians swept the season series from Troy last season, ending the Trojans' eight-game winning streak against Piqua. Before then, the last time Piqua beat Troy was in 2006.
"We feel like we owe them a little," Welker said. "But we feel that we're competing with the team in our dugout, not the other one. When we lose, we feel like we didn't do the things we needed to do to win. If we play our game, we're tough to beat.
"If we play our game and get beat by a better team, then we get beat by a better team. But we know we're going to be in every game."
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April 26, 2012 Article
Full steam ahead
Troy gets momentum, rallies past Springboro 7-6
April 26, 2012 Troy Daily News By Josh Brown Sports Editor
Payback from a tournament loss last season. A signature win against one of the area's best teams - and in exciting fashion.
Of all the things Troy earned Thursday, one was more important than all.
Momentum.
The Trojans (14-7) kicked off the most important five-game stretch of their season with a come-from-behind victory over the Springboro Panthers, falling behind as much as 6-2 only to rally for a 7-6 victory Thursday at Market Street Field on Senior Night.
"This was a great momentum game," said Troy senior Nathan Helke, who pitched the seventh inning to pick up a save. "They're (Springboro) probably going to be one of the top seeds in the tournament. We got a lot of momentum out of this game, and with Piqua coming on Monday and Tuesday, any momentum we can get is great."
"This was a big win on Senior Night, especially against Springboro," senior Jordan Guillozet said. "This was definitely a quality win over a good team."
Greater Western Ohio Conference North Division-leading Springboro (16-4) run-ruled Troy 11-1 in the first round of last year's tournament - mere weeks after the Trojans beat the Panthers by the same 7-6 score in the regular season.
Now the Trojans travel to Miamisburg today before facing Fairfield at Fifth Third Field Sunday night ... the night before a two-game series with rival Piqua that will decide the GWOC North championship. Troy needs to sweep both of those games to win its first league title since 1991, while the Indians need only a split.
"These are the kind of games we need to be in right now," Troy coach Ty Welker said. "Springboro is a quality baseball team. That is the kind of team we need to beat from here on out."
And even after falling behind 6-2 after the top of the fourth, the Trojans showed the had what it takes.
And it all began in the bottom of the fourth.
After Springboro starter Sean Pfeifer struck out the first two Trojan batters, Dylan Cascaden got his third straight hit of the day, and Nick Antonides doubled to the opposite field to put runners on second and third. Then Helke - the GWOC North leader in RBIs who was 0 for 2 at that point - hit a dribbler to third that he beat out for an infield RBI single.
"I can count on one hand how many times I've done that," he said with a laugh. "But hey, I'll take it."
A wild pitch and an errant throw to third by the catcher brought in another run, then Guillozet struck out swinging but reached base after the ball got by the catcher. That allowed Ian Nadolny to rake an RBI single that made the score 6-5.
Troy's first five runs in the game all came with two outs.
"Today was kind of the opposite of the way we've been all year," Welker said. "(Starting pitcher) Devon (Alexander) didn't have his best stuff, Springboro came out swinging and we made some defensive mistakes. But we battled with two outs, put up a couple runs here and there and stayed in the game."
Alexander gave up eight hits and four runs in three innings, seven of those hits and all of the runs coming in the first two innings. Sophomore Ben Langdon then came on for the next three innings, giving up four hits and two runs - but also getting out of two jams. He induced an inning-ending six-four-three double play from Cascaden to Thomas Harvey to Helke to get out of the fourth. And then after a play from left fielder Jordan Price to Cascaden at short to Nadolny at home to nail a runner trying to score early in the sixth, he left runners stranded on first and third.
Which set up the Trojans for some late-game heroics in the bottom of the inning.
Cascaden - who finished 3 for 3 with two doubles and three runs scored in the leadoff spot - led off with a walk and was bunted to second by Antonides. Helke then walked, and Guillozet - who finished 3 for 3 with a double and two RBIs - poked a run-scoring single through the hole between first and second to tie the game.
"We just never quit. We kept on going and hitting the whole game," Guillozet said. "Everybody hit. It was a good team win."
Nadolny then drove the first pitch he saw to right field for a sacrifice fly, bringing in pinch runner Jay Swigard and giving Troy its first lead of the game.
Helke made sure it was the only one the Trojans would need.
He gave up a leadoff single to start the seventh, but a fielder's choice and a strikeout put Springboro down to its last out. He then walked the next hitter to put the tying run in scoring position and went 3-1 on the next hitter, but he got a fly ball to Devin Blakely in center to put an end to the game.
"I was just trying not to make a mistake, and they were trying to capitalize on one," Helke said. "Thank God our defense was there. Dylan made a great play at short, and Devin made a nice catch to end it."
"Ben, a sophomore, battled out of some tight spots and got some nice experience," Welker said of Langdon, who got the win. "And we just kept chipping away. Nathan would tell you he didn't have his best stuff, but he did his job and we got a great team win."
And some all-important momentum.
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Troy keeps rolling, tops Miamisburg
April 27, 2012 Troy Daily News Staff Reports
MIAMISBURG - Troy followed up an impressive come-from-behind win over a tough Springboro team the previous day by picking up even more steam, getting solid pitching and defense and one big inning in a 5-1 victory over Miamisburg Friday.
With the score tied 1-1, the Trojans (15-7) posted four runs in the fourth and never looked back.
"The guys have that mentality now. We believe we're supposed to win every game," Troy coach Ty Welker said. "We're playing to win, not not to lose."
Jordan Price had a two-run bloop single in the fourth, Nadolny had an RBI single and Thomas Harvey had a double and an RBI. Nathan Helke was also 2 for 2 with a run as Troy was hit by a pitch a whopping seven times, earning some battle scars to go with the win.
Zach Kendall welcomed all the support, striking out four, walking three and giving up three hits - all singles - in six innings of work for the win.
"Zach threw well," Welker said. "It was his longest outing of the year, and it was definitely his best. He located well and threw nicely.
"Everyone kind of chipped in. We weren't flashy with only six hits. That's not going to help our batting average. But we do what we have to to win."
Troy travels to Fifth Third Field at 7 p.m. Sunday to face Fairfield.
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One that got away
Fairfield beats Troy 6-3; now focus turns to Piqua
April 29, 2012 Troy Daily News By Josh Brown Sports Editor
The Troy Trojans lost some of the momentum that they'd picked up heading into today's series opener against Piqua to decide the Greater Western Ohio Conference North champion.
Now they need to pick up something else.
A sudden case of amnesia.
"That's the thing about baseball. You need a short memory," Troy coach Ty Welker said. "We're going to forget about tonight and get ready for tomorrow."
Troy (15-8) outplayed the Fairfield Indians for six innings and held a one-run lead heading into the final inning Sunday night under the lights at the Dayton Dragons' Fifth Third Field. But a letdown in the top of the seventh inning led to four Fairfield runs as the Indians stole a 6-3 win.
"We played the last inning trying not to lose," Welker said. "We didn't play the first six innings that way. We need to be playing to win."
Cody Fuller pitched well enough to win, giving up six hits and two runs over six innings of work, striking out two, walking two and leaving with a 3-2 lead.
And he got some help throughout the game, as well. After giving up a leadoff single in the second, shortstop Dylan Cascaden made a play on a grounder deep in the hole, turning and firing to second to get the lead runner. Fuller got a pair of flyouts to end the inning - including an outstanding grab by left fielder Devon Alexander in front of the warning track.
And after giving up back-to-back doubles in the sixth that made it a 3-2 game, center fielder Devin Blakely ranged far to his right and made a diving grab in the gap to keep the tying run stranded on second.
"We made some amazing plays on defense," Welker said. "Cascaden's play was Jeter-esque, and Devin and Devon made a couple of great catches.
"Fuller threw a heck of a game. This was his best start of the year by far."
And he got some support from the offense early on.
Jordan Price reached on a strikeout to start the second and was bunted to second. And with two outs, Blakely hit a high chopper over the Fairfield third baseman for an RBI single - and Cascaden followed that by ripping a double down the third-base line that brought in the speedy Blakely from first to give Troy a 2-0 lead.
Troy had another two-out rally in the fourth spear-headed by Blakely and Cascaden. Blakely bunted for a single and stole second, then Cascaden poked an RBI single through to make it 3-1 at the time.
Troy only managed three baserunners from that point on - all on walks.
"Offensively, we didn't have our best game," Welker said. "Devin and Dylan were both aggressive and clutch, but we need that throughout the lineup. We kind of went through the motions (after getting the lead)."
And in the seventh, the Indians made Troy pay.
The leadoff hitter reached on an error and was bunted to second, but Nick Antonides struck out the next hitter to put Fairfield down to its last out. He couldn't get the call on a close 2-2 pitch on the next batter and ended up issuing a walk, though, and Curtis Olvy tied the game with a single. After another walk loaded the bases, Braden Berdeen then ripped a two-run double, putting the Indians up 6-3 - and Troy couldn't rally in the bottom of the inning.
Troy travels to Piqua today, needing to sweep the Indians over the next two days to claim the GWOC North title, while Piqua needs only a series split.
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"Meeting of a Different Mind"
April 30, 2012 Article
Playing for it all
Troy forces GWOC North title game, beats Piqua 5-1
May 1, 2012 Troy Daily News Staff Writer
PIQUA - The GWOC North champion will be determined at 5 p.m. Tuesday at the Market Street Field in Troy.
Piqua had a chance to clinch the title Monday at Hardman Field but lost 5-1 to the Trojans.
That leaves both teams at 7-2 in the GWOC North going into the final conference game of the season tonight.
Troy's Devon Alexander threw a seven-hitter and struck out five to keep Piqua off the board for most of the game as the Trojans improved to 16-8. Despite Andy Draving and Colin Lavey combining on a seven-hitter, striking out eight, walking four and hitting two as Piqua dropped to 10-10 on the season.
It was a pitcher's duel for four innings as Draving limited Troy to three singles and Piqua missed two opportunities to score.
Jared Nill and Draving singled in the second with one out to put runners on first and second, but the Indians could not move them around.
In the third, Luke Schneider singled and moved to second on Taylor Wellbaum's sacrifice bunt, but again the rally stalled.
But an error to start the inning, a hit batter and two walks helped Troy bat around in the fifth and scored four runs, although only one of them was earned.
After an error and a hit batter, nine-hitter Devin Blakely had a double to score Thomas Harvey.
With one out, Nick Antonides put down a perfect squeeze bunt to make it 2-0 and after an intentional walk to Nathan Helke, Jordan Guillozet had a two-run single.
Piqua answered with one run in the home fifth.
Justice Young, Taylor Wellbaum and Brian Marsh all singled to score a run, before a pop up ended the rally.
Troy scored the final run of the game in the top of the seventh, when Helke was hit by a pitch and, after a stolen base, Guillozet doubled in a run.
Young led Piqua at the plate with two singles, Helke had two hits for Troy and Guillozet had a single and a double.
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Waiting game
Big league matchups forced to wait until today
May 2, 2012 Troy Daily News By Josh Brown Sports Editor
They've waited 20-plus years for a league title.
What's one more day?
Troy's matchup with Piqua Tuesday - what amounts to the Greater Western Ohio Conference North Division championship game - got started despite an early afternoon storm, but another round of rain and lightning caused the teams to suspend the game until today.
"Hopefully it will be worth the wait," said Troy coach Ty Welker, whose Trojans haven't won a league title since 1991, when it was the GMVC. "The boys were itching and ready to play. We tried. It was a tough decision. There were a lot of people there, both teams were wanting to play, but do you want a game like that to be decided on a wet field?"
Piqua, which hasn't won a league title since 1995, threatened in the first and second innings, but a slip by a baserunner and the resulting pickoff at second base ended the top of the second - and brought on the tarps.
Market Street Field has had good luck this spring thanks to Welker and the players tending the field. On a number of occasions, games were scheduled to be played on the road but flipped to Troy as the oppositions' fields weren't playable.
Tuesday's rain was too much, though.
"The field can take some rain, but what we can't control is rain at the time of the game," Welker said with a laugh. We can only do so much."
Both the Trojans and Indians are 7-2 in the GWOC North, and whoever wins today's continuation will be the champion.
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Worth the wait
Troy wins first title since 1991, beats Piqua
May 3, 2012 Troy Daily News By Josh Brown Sports Editor
Twenty-one years. And one extra day.
The last time Troy's baseball team had accomplished the feat, in fact, none of its current players had been born.
After all of that time, the Troy Trojans found out some things are worth waiting for.
Troy completed its sweep of rival Piqua the day after the Greater Western Ohio Conference North Division championship game began, getting clutch performances from everyone that saw the field, jumping ahead of the Indians with a three-run third inning and holding off a rally Wednesday for a 7-3 victory - and the Trojans' first league title since 1991.
"Back in the beginning of spring when we were conditioning and getting ready for the season, all we talked about was winning the GWOC. Win GWOC. Win GWOC," Troy's Devin Blakely said. "To actually do it feels amazing. And what better way than to do it against Piqua?"
Troy (17-8, 8-2 GWOC North) lost a pair of games to Greenville, but rebounded by sweeping perennial champ and preseason favorite Butler the next week. Entering Monday and Tuesday's series with the Indians (10-11, 7-3 GWOC North), the Trojans needed a sweep to capture their first crown since playing in the GMVC, while Piqua needed only a split to get its first since 1995.
"We've had momentum since those Vandalia wins," Troy coach Ty Welker said. "We've just been trying to keep it going and keep the guys' heads on straight. We knew we controlled our own destiny. That's exactly what we wanted."
After a 5-1 Troy win on Monday, sophomore Ben Langdon got the call to start the program's biggest game in decades.
And despite getting into trouble in the first two innings on Tuesday, Langdon found ways out of those jams - and came back Wednesday on fire after thunderstorms suspended the action, the extra day actually helping rather than putting on additional pressure.
"I felt (pressure) probably on the first day," Langdon said. "But the delay helped me. I just went home and relaxed. I knew if I just executed my pitches, I shouldn't have to worry that much."
Langdon gave up six hits, walked two and struck out three over 5 2-3 innings of work, leaving five Piqua runners stranded in the process.
"I struggled a little bit towards the end, but I fought through it," Langdon said. "I knew I couldn't get down on myself if there was a bad call or an error. I just had to keep throwing."
And in the bottom of the third, he got the offensive support he needed.
Thomas Harvey drew a walk to lead off then moved to second on a bunt by Jay Swigard. Then Monday's hero, nine-spot hitter Devin Blakely, singled up the middle to bring home the game's first run - and leadoff man Dylan Cascaden tripled over the center fielder's head to bring home Blakely. Nathan Helke then blooped in a two-out single to score Cascaden to put Troy up 3-0.
"Coach intended me to be leadoff at the beginning of the season, but I dropped to nine in the order to get some confidence," Blakely said. "But it really worked, so he kept me there - and it's helped the team. It's like having a second leadoff guy at the bottom of the order."
And helped it has. In Thursday's come-from-behind win against Springboro, the duo accounted for four of Troy's seven runs, and in a loss to Fairfield on Sunday and Monday's win over Piqua, they again fueled the Troy offense.
"I've been leadoff since second grade. It's where I'm most comfortable," Cascaden said. "Me and Blakely - man. He gets on base, steals second - he's only been thrown out once maybe - and then I bring him in. He gets me going. That's how we've been running this, and it's been working great."
Troy tacked on a fourth run in the bottom of the fifth after a leadoff double by Nick Antonides, an intentional pass to Helke and two more walks to bring the run around, and history seemed within the Trojans' reach.
But Piqua wasn't about to give up.
Taylor Huebner - who finished 4 for 4 in the game - doubled to lead off the sixth, and two errors on the same grounder brought him around and put Brandon Wright on second. A single by Colin Lavey put runners on the corners with two outs and finally chased Langdon, who gave way to closer Helke to protect the league title for him.
"You've got to give credit to Ben," the senior Helke said. "He's a sophomore, coming in and starting the biggest game this team has had in 21 years. He threw a great game."
Justice Young singled to make it a 4-2 game, but Helke struck out the next batter with a backdoor slider for a called third strike to end the threat.
And with two outs in the bottom of the sixth, the Indians imploded.
Cascaden reached on an error and Antonides was hit by a pitch, then Helke hit another routine grounder to second that was booted for one error and thrown away for another to bring in a run and put runners on second and third. And for good measure, Jordan Guillozet - who was 0 for 2 with a pair of strikeouts to that point in the game - ripped an 0-2 pitch up the middle to bring home both runs and make it a five-run game.
Which was more than enough for Helke.
He struck out the first two batters of the final inning, then Huebner reached on an infield single and an error on Wright's single brought in another run. But Helke induced a slow roller to Cascaden at short, and Cascaden charged and fired the runner out by a step to finish the game.
"Man, I haven't felt like this in a long time," said Cascaden, who made a number of impressive defensive plays throughout the game. "I just went out there, played defense and did whatever I could to help. Making plays like that isn't really planned - it's just the way the ball bounces sometimes."
"I didn't even comprehend what had happened when he called the final out," Helke said. "It felt like just another game while I was on the mound. It didn't dawn on me what we did until a few seconds after they called him out. It's the best feeling."
"This win was for our whole program, for all of the guys that have played for this team in the last 20 years," Welker said. "This means something to the program. This is something that, when new guys come up, we can instill in them from Day 1 before they step on the field. This is what we've always worked for.
"They (Piqua) fought back and kept fighting until the last out. That was a good baseball team - and that makes this even sweeter. We didn't just beat anybody to earn this. We beat teams like Butler and Piqua. There are some good teams in our division."
And for the first time in 21 years, Troy is the best of them.
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A Working Man's Title For Troy
May 3, 2012 Article
Sock it to 'em
Newsock hits 3 HRs, Xenia tops Troy
May 4, 2012 Troy Daily News Colin Foster Sports Writer
Xenia's Zack Newsock had one home run, 15 RBIs and a batting average of .292 entering Friday's game against Troy at Market Street Field.
But Newsock was the difference-maker on Friday night, hitting three home runs - including a grand slam in the fourth inning which put Xenia up 7-5 - and tallying six RBIs to lift the Buccaneers past the Trojans 9-5 in a six-inning rain-shortened win.
"That was a nice performance by him," Troy coach Ty Welker said. "He hit the ball well, but the ball was carrying for both teams. We kind of served it to him on a platter. When you pitch the ball up and in, that usually doesn't bode well for the pitcher."
Troy, however, shouldn't have even been in that predicament to begin with in the fourth. Devon Alexander exited the game with a 5-2 lead after three innings of work on the hill. Cody Fuller came on in relief in the fourth and had control issues, loading the bases before a sacrifice fly knocked in a run to make it 5-3.
Mitchell Larson walked to load the bases once again, then Troy's Zach Kendall took the mound with the unfortunate task of facing Newsock - who had already hit a solo home run in the third. Newsock wasted no time, clearing the bases with a homer in nearly the exact spot as his first to give Xenia its first lead of the game.
The Buccaneers took full advantage of three walks and a hit batter, scoring five runs in the fourth on one hit. Newsock added another solo shot in the sixth just before the rain came and shut the game down.
"Our goal going in was to pitch by community," Welker said. "We wanted to get Alexander a few innings and Fuller in for a little. We went with Cody, and he just couldn't locate it. If you don't throw strikes, that's going to hurt you. We brought in Kendell, and he couldn't locate the pitch where he needed to - and he (Newsock) hit it out."
Dylan Cascaden went deep in the top of the first to give Troy a 1-0 lead. That was followed by Xenia center fielder Mitchell Larson making a great catch at the wall, robbing Nick Antonides and the Trojans of potential back-to-back home runs to start the game. But Nathan Helke slammed a shot over the right-center field fence on the next at-bat to put the Trojans up 2-0 out of the gate.
Helke's homer was his fifth on the season, which ties him for the Greater Western Ohio Conference lead with West Carrollton's Nick Shultz. The Troy senior ended the game 2 for 3.
With one out in the top of the second, Xenia had three consecutive hits to load the bases. Alexander attempted to pick off the runner on first, then the toss back to him by Helke got by him, leading to the first Xenia run of the day.
In the bottom of the second, Thomas Harvey singled with one out, then Devin Blakely singled two batters later. Cascaden walked, then Antonides delivered a two-run single to put Troy up 4-1. With two outs in the third, Jordan Price reached first on a walk, then Harvey hit a liner to right, which dropped and got past the Xenia right fielder, allowing Price to score from first. That was the last run the Trojans would get.
Troy left Antonides and Helke stranded on first and third in the bottom of the fourth, then Xenia pitcher Connor Graham - who went the distance to get the win - struck out two out of three batters in a one-two-three bottom of the fifth. The Trojan offense never saw the field again.
Troy - which captured its first GWOC North title since 1991 with a 7-3 win over Piqua on Wednesday - ends the regular season with a record of 17-9, winning its last six out of eight games. The Trojans open tournament play on Thursday, awaiting the winner of the Northmont-Belmont game. If Northmont wins, the game will be played in Clayton, but if Belmont wins, the game will take place in Troy at 5 p.m.
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Too much to handle
T-Bolts take charge early, oust Trojans from tourney
May 10, 2012 Troy Daily News By Josh Brown Sports Editor
After accomplishing something no Troy team had done since 1991, the Trojans should have felt a load lifted from their shoulders.
Instead, they gave themselves something to think about for next year.
After getting out of a bases-loaded, no-out jam in the top of the first inning giving up only one run, third-seeded Northmont (19-8) scored five times over the course of the first two innings to take charge and piled on late, run-ruling Troy 12-2 in six innings in the Division I Sectional semifinal Thursday at Northmont.
"When you give up five runs in the first two innings, you put a lot of pressure on yourselves," Troy coach Ty Welker said. "Only scoring one in our half of the first then giving up those runs, we took all of the pressure off of them. And put it on ourselves."
It was the second straight year that Troy (17-10) was run-ruled in its first tournament game and the fourth straight exit from the tournament in the first game for the Trojans, who won the Greater Western Ohio Conference North Division title in the regular season - something Troy hadn't pulled off in 21 years, since the league the Trojans played in was called the GMVC.
"If you told me before the season that we'd end up 17-10 with a league title and a No. 5 seed for the tournament, I would've been pretty happy with that," Welker said. "We weren't happy with the way it ended, of course. But I'm proud of these guys."
Troy missed a golden opportunity to take command in the first inning. Dylan Cascaden was hit by a pitch, Nick Antonides bunted for a single and Nathan Helke walked to load the bases with none out. Jordan Guillozet then hit into an RBI fielder's choice to give the Trojans the lead.
But Bryan Murphy struck out the next batter and induced another groundout to get out of the jam - and the Thunderbolts took advantage.
Keegan Rottgen tripled on the first pitch he saw to lead off, then Tom Stoffel doubled to bring him in. Alex Crabtree hit a ball up the middle that took a ridiculously bad hop on shortstop Dylan Cascaden to get through for an RBI single to give Northmont a 2-1 lead after one.
Austin Sanders then led off the second with a double, Rottgen walked and Patrick Snyder laid down a sacrifice bunt that was thrown away for a two-base run-scoring error. An RBI groundout by Stoffel and a squeeze bunt by Crabtree later, Northmont held a 5-1 lead.
"Not scoring a second run in the first really hurt," Welker said. "And then not getting outs, giving them a lot of extra outs - they're a good team, and they'll make you pay."
After Jay Swigard led off Troy's half of the fourth by reaching on an error, Devin Blakely and Cascaden hit back-to-back singles, with Cascaden's driving in Swigard to make the score 5-2 - but Northmont tacked on two more in the bottom of the inning and four in the fifth, punctuated by a two-run homer by Todd Mangen.
Troy, meanwhile, managed only three hits off of Murphy, who struck out five and walked three.
"We struggled to compete at times today," Welker said. "They hit the ball hard, and we didn't have many hard-hit balls at all. After the season we had, to not compete on a day like this ...
"Murphy is one of the best pitchers in the area. He definitely set the pace, and we didn't have a good approach at the plate. We didn't swing at many fastballs. He made us swing at his pitches."
An RBI single by Snyder put an end to the game - and Troy's stellar season - in the bottom of the sixth.
"I'm proud of these guys," Welker said. "We didn't have the league title handed to us. We won it. We went out and earned it. Hats off to our seniors, too. They brought it home for us. They carried us on and off the field."
Troy simply put too much weight on its shoulders to handle on Thursday.
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