TROY – Call the start of Troy’s 2017 baseball season the yin to 2016’s beginning’s yang – or vice versa.
After entering last year with a loaded pitching staff and an inexperienced lineup, the roles have reversed for the Trojans this year.
First-team all-Sun Belt pitcher Grant Bennett and second-team all-Sun Belt hurler Lucas Brown have graduated, leaving some question marks in the rotation. Meanwhile nine players who earned spots in the lineup last year have returned, including six who made at least 41 starts in 2016.
The Trojans got a first look at the experienced lineup Friday, the first day of practices for the new season.