BY CHRIS MANNINGNorthern Tier Sports Report
Troy baseball lost a few from last year’s district semifinal team, but they received even from a freshman class as they’re flush with new recruits that will be placed with their veterans as they look to keep their success from the past few seasons going in 2026.
With over 30 on the roster Troy coach Lyle Wesneski has no shortage of choices when it comes to mixing and matching the line-up this year.
“You’ve got to manage your time with extremely structured practices,” he said, noting that while they are in gym they’re doing half JV and half varsity.
“I believe in keeping everybody, and working with them and making them better,” Wesneski continued. “We’ve got lots of coaches, great coaches, and that’s going to be good.”
With 14 freshmen he’s excited to have full JV schedule.
“Hopefully we can get 18 to 20 games with them to develop,” he said. “We lose five or six seniors this year, and these guys have to be ready to go.”
As for this season, Wesneski is looking for the Loxley brothers, Trey Teribury, and Frank Harper to step into the roles vacated by last year’s talented group.
“They’ve been paying their dues, and it’s their time,” Wesneski said. “They’ve been working behind the scenes, and doing what they need to do.”
They return Reed Palmer on the mound, who was a key part of last year’s rotation, and Wesneski feels he has no shortage of arms.
“We’ve got Reed, we’ve got Frank, we have (Brendan) Gilliland, we have Teribury, we have Loxley,” he rattled off. “We got Vinnie Colton working all winter. I’ve got three or four freshmen, they’re going to throw some innings for us, that are ready to throw right now, so we’re in good shape.”
His plan is to pitch by committee, at least until the warmer weather hits.
“I’ve got to be smart in how I use my pitchers early so that we don’t get sore arms and tendonitis,” remarked Wesneski.
Gilliland, for one, is ready to go.
“I’m pretty excited,” he said. “I’ve been playing all the way up through, so its good to get my last year.”
He backed up the pitching by committee that Wesneski talked about.
“We’re just going to have some guys fill in, and then some guys that pitched last year will have some bigger roles,” Gilliland said.
The team was known for its base running last year, and they’ll have some more of that this season with Gilliland, and Mason Smith on the paths.
“We’ll be a fast and competitive team because of our speed,” Smith said. “We should be able to lay down some bunts, and get real good at that.”
Wesneski sees them as playing a little more small ball this year.
“We’re going to have to bunt, we’re going to have to put some hit and runs on,” he said. “We’re going to make things happen, and manufacture runs - some good old fashion baseball.”
Looking across the league Athens looks set to defend their title, while Wellsboro, NP-Mansfield, Towanda, and Wyalusing are always tough.
“It’s always good being competitive, and we’ll just be ready to take on the NTL,” Smith said.
The seniors would like to get back on top of the NTL before they leave.
“It’s good to have success, to know what you need to do to get back up there,” Gilliland remarked. “Every year is a new year, so you’ve got to rebuild the team, and keep climbing.”
ROSTER (Grade)
Zander Potter (10)
Hunter Watson (9)
Landon Cole (9)
Josiah Pesesky (9)
Mason Smith (12)
Brendan Gilliland (12)
Lucas Loxley (12)
Logan Loxley (12)
Reed Palmer (11)
Trey Teribury (11)
Brody Ayers (9)
Sam Stafford (9)
Caden Estep (9)
Zack Blasz (9)
Jack McClaud (9)
Garret Parks (10)
Vinnie Colton (10)
David Harper (9)
Oakley Roberts (9)
Logunn Heasley (11)
Frank Harper (12)
Kayden Vogel (12)
Parker Brown (10)
Owen Campbell (10)
Lexton Jackson (10)
Alex Roupp (10)
Boyd Watson (9)
Brycen Szulkowski (9)
Jimmy Deakin (9)
Peyton Greeno (9)
Pryor Teribury (11)
SCHEDULE
Mar 24 vs Athens, 4:30 p.m.
Mar 26 vs Wyalusing, 4:30 p.m.
Mar 28 vs Sullivan County, 3 p.m.
Mar 31 at NPM, 4:30 p.m.
April 2 vs Towanda, 4:30 p.m.
April 4 at South Williamsport, 1 p.m.
April 7 at Williamson, 4:30 p.m.
April 8 at Wellsboro, 4:30 p.m.
April 11 vs Canton, 11 a.m.
April 14 vs Wellsboro, 4:30 p.m.
April 18 at Shamokin Tournament, 10 a.m.
April 21 at Wyalusing, 4:30 p.m.
April 23 vs NPM, 4:30 p.m.
April 28 at Towanda, 4:30 p.m.
April 30 vs NEB, 4:30 p.m.
May 5 at Sayre, 4:30 p.m.
May 7 vs CV, 4:30 p.m.
May 11 at Canton, 4:30 p.m.
May 12 at Athens, 4:30 p.m.
