Troy University will host its first-ever Super Regional beginning on Friday, following their victory in the NCAA Gainesville Regional. 

Troy will host Little Rock in a best-of-three series for the right to advance to the College World Series in Omaha, Neb.

 

Cam Ward, a member of the Troy University Board of Trustees, told 1819 News on Tuesday that he was excited about Troy hosting a Super Regional.

"Troy came on strong towards the end of the year. They put on one heck of a performance down there in Gainesville. They were already heading that way because they did so well in the Sun Belt Conference, too. Was I surprised? A little bit. This is the furthest we've moved up in the tournament since we went Division 1," Ward said. "We were the last team that got in (the tournament). Our schedule strength was the eighth in the country. Am I surprised? A little bit, but more than anything, I'm excited."

Ward said hosting a Super Regional would be an "enormous" benefit for Troy.

"If you think about it, we're one of the few teams actually in the country this year, all of them in Division 1, that went to a bowl game in football, made it to the NCAA tournament in basketball, and now we're advancing in baseball," Ward said. "It raises Troy's profile not just around here but around the country." 

He said Troy's Riddle-Pace Field would be able to handle a big crowd this weekend.

"That field is one of the best fields you'll see in college baseball. It is a gorgeous facility. It can handle a big crowd. I think you're going to see a big crowd," Ward said. "This team had the toughest road trip you could ask for, and they still prevailed. I think it says a lot about the quality of players we have. They lost their first game, and they came storming back."

To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email [email protected].

Don't miss out! Subscribe to our newsletter and get our top stories every weekday morning.

CMP Article Bottom Fishers Farm730 NCF