Trojan baseball looks to stay competitive during rebuild

FAIRFIELD - The Fairfield baseball team has been a top team in the Southeast Conference for most of the decade, but 2020 will be an interesting challenge for a much-less experienced Fairfield squad. The Trojan baseball team lost more than any other big school summer sports team, and will need to come together fast to try and win another SEC championship.

Fairfield is coming off a split in the SEC lastr season. The Trojans went 26-5 overall and 12-4 in conference play, tying with Mt. Pleasant for the top spot. In the postseason, the Trojans defeated Ft. Madison and Mt. Pleasant, before faltering in the substate final against Davenport Assumption, 3-2.

Senior duo Carter Ferrel and Drew Martin lead the group of Trojan returners into 2020. Ferrel hit .325 last season with 15 RBIs. Martin hit .289 with two home runs, three doubles, two triples and 13 RBIs. Ferrel and Martin are the only two returners who started all 31 games for the Trojans last season.

The Trojans will rely on a several other returners, including Matthew Swanson, Elan Ledger and Josh Brewington, three players who started double-digit games last season.

Ledger is the top returning pitcher, coming off a 2-0 recore last season. He finished the year with a 1.70 ERA and 13 strikeouts. Ferrel was also 2-0, with a 4.80 ERA and eight strikeouts.

The Trojans dropped theri first game of the year, 14-3 against Washington. They'll have plenty of tough teams on their hands this season, as Mt. Pleasant returns the bulk of their team, and the SEC welcomes a strong Burlington team into the league.