Softball picked ninth in confference poll

The Sun Belt softball preseason poll is here, and with it comes their prediction for the Troy softball team. With 63 votes, Troy is projected to finish in ninth place, just below Georgia Southern and just above South Alabama.  

Brady Fitch photo

Kam Munson fields a ball during a 2025 fall ball warmup

With a heavy focus on the transfer portal this offseason, head coach Eric Newell is looking to exceed the Sun Belt’s expectations. 

Last season, the Trojans went 33-24, which includes a winning record at home with a 20-11 record. This led to the Trojans going up against No. 9 seeded James Madison in the Sun Belt Conference Tournament, where they lost a heartbreaker 5-4.  

This 2025 Trojans team faced the preseasons favorite Texas State three times, clinching a series win on the road in a hard-fought battle. Those scores were 4-2, 3-2 and 6-11, respectively.  

Troy will face Texas State again in a three-game series, this time at home. The Trojans struggled against Georgia Southern in their series last year, only winning one game in a three-game series. Against South Alabama, however, Troy won two of three. 

”We’re excited about the chemistry and the culture that we’ve created here in year four in my tenure,” Newell said. “I see a drive and determination that I have yet to see since I’ve been here”  

He’s hoping to shock the conference with a group of athletes he said have a drive like no other he has coached. 

“Since we’ve come back, we have a really gritty team,” said sophomore pitcher Mya Holt. 

Amity White, a transfer outfielder from South Alabama, set the tone for the goals they have this year.  

“Our goal is to win the Sun Belt,” White said. “We definitely want to go to a regional and we feel like we can compete with anybody.”  

When asked about the preseason polls, White said the ranking served as motivation for the squad. 

“That’s motivation,” White said. “I don’t think people know what we have on this team.” 

You can watch the Trojans start off their softball rally against Middle Tennessee State at home Friday, Feb. 6 at 2:30 p.m.