Troy Softball Opens 2016 Hosting the Trojan Invite

TROY, Alabama – The Troy softball team will open its 2016 season under reigning Sun Belt Conference Coach of the Year Beth Mullins on Friday against Eastern Michigan. First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m. at the Troy Softball Complex.

Troy's season opener will be the third game of the day at the Troy Softball Complex as the five-team Troy Invite Tournament opens at 11 a.m. with Eastern Michigan vs. Evansville.

Friday's game will mark the first time these two teams have faced each other. The Trojans is coming off a 32-23 overall record and a fourth-place finish in the Sun Belt, while the Eagles are coming off an 18-32 overall record.

Troy is returning a host of players this season including seven seniors led by Hannah Day and Ashley Rainey.

Last season, Day led the Trojans in batting average (.329), hits (57), doubles (13), RBIs (43), slugging percentage (.543) and tied for first in triples (3). Rainey started 20 games in the circle recording 10 wins, striking out 47 batters in 97.2 innings of work. She threw six complete games and tossed a four-hit shutout at Florida A&M.

Also returning for the Trojans is junior Becca Hartley. She was named to the All-Sun Belt Conference Second Team as an outfielder and led the team with 10 home runs, including two in Troy's win at No. 10 Florida State. She reached base in a team-high 27 consecutive games and had four multi-hit games over a five-game stretch.

Following Friday's game, the Trojans will play a doubleheader Saturday as they take on Evansville at 2:30 p.m. and Eastern Michigan at 5 p.m. Troy will close out the Trojan Invite with another doubleheader on Sunday, this time facing off against Marshall at 2:30 p.m. and Alabama State at 5 p.m.

The original schedule of the Trojan Invite was modified this week to accommodate a change in travel plans for Marshall. For more information regarding the Trojan Invite and the schedule changes visit the 2016 Trojan Invite page on TroyTrojans.com/softball.

Fans can also find Troy softball on Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat at @TroyTrojansSB or on Facebook at facebook.com/TroyTrojansSB.

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Players Mentioned

Hannah Day

Becca Hartley

Ashley Rainey