TROY, Ala. – Appalachian State (28-14, 11-6 SBC) will resume Sun Belt play at Troy (34-14, 14-5 SBC) this weekend.
The weekend series will serve as a battle between the No. 3 and No. 2 teams in the conference respectively. The Trojans jumped to the second spot in the conference after taking the series against Georgia Southern last weekend.
APP STATE OFFENSE
At the plate, App State has maintained a solid .249 team batting average with timely hitting playing the biggest role in the offense.
Keri White is the start the Mountaineers need at the plate consistently as she has managed 48 hits in 141 at bats and a .340 batting average that is constantly rising with each game.
Alison Durrence has proven herself to be the heavy hitter of the team with a .703 slugging percentage and 11 home runs so far this year, good for second in the Sun Belt.
With a conference and team-best 38 walks this season alongside a .457 on-base percentage, Jenny Dodd is relentless in getting on base and making things happen for the Apps.
As a pinch hitter for the Mountaineers, Gabby Buruato shows out when called on, sitting on a .375 batting average and 11 runs in her eight at bats this season.
APP STATE DEFENSE
In the circle, the Mountaineers are second in conference with a team 2.71 ERA and 173 strikeouts through 42 games.
Kenzie Longanecker is the Mountaineer ace with a 14-4 record and 2.08 ERA, also good for second in the Sun Belt. She is currently at fourth in strikeouts in program history with 89 on the season and 303 in her career.
Sydney Holland has shown out as well this season sitting at fourth in the Sun Belt with a 2.29 ERA and a 11-6 record. Holland has 53 strikeouts on the year with only 31 walks.
The fourth best Sun Belt defense with a .969 fielding percentage backs up the two, having turned 15 double plays this season with the dynamic duo of Caylie Kifer and Sidney Russell in the middle.
From behind the plate, Baylee Morton has caught eight runners stealing so far this season, tied for second most in the Sun Belt.
THE LAST TIME THEY PLAYED
App State is 2-16 in program history against Troy. In 2018, the Mountaineers were swept in the weekend series, dropping the final game 8-9 due to a sixth inning comeback by the Trojans.
The Mountaineers scored seven runs on four hits in the second inning. Jenny Dodd got the offense going with a solo home run followed by a single by Keri White and a handful of errors by the Trojan defense.
To avoid getting run-ruled, Troy scored three runs on two home runs in the third inning and turned the game into an offensive battle.
With 11 hits by the Trojans, App State was outlasted and gave up five runs in the sixth inning. A Mountaineer error gave Troy the final and winning run.
SCOUTING THE TROJANS
Troy heads into the weekend after taking the series against Georgia Southern 2-1. The Trojans clinched the series after winning the first two games but fell in the series finale 3-5.
Swinging the bat, the Trojans have put together a .257 team batting average with Talia Truitt leading the way. Truitt has a .360 batting average so far this season with 45 hits through 125 at bats.
Bailey Taylor leads Troy with five home runs on the season alongside a .549 slugging percentage. Kaylee Hussey matches Taylor in home runs and is next in line with a .460 slugging percentage.
While the Trojans aren't the heavy hitters of the Sun Belt, they do know how to get on base with a .377 team on-base percentage.
In the circle, Leanna Johnson has a 2.17 ERA and 22-5 record through 32 appearances, splitting the two Mountaineer pitchers in the ranks for third in the Sun Belt. Johnson has a conference second-best 175 strikeouts on the season.
Annie Willis is the number two Trojan pitcher and has managed a 2.71 ERA and 88 strikeouts so far.
The Trojans don't excel over every team in the Sun Belt however, the matchup with the Mountaineers is one that mirrors exceptionally well.
