All of the players wearing a Troy baseball uniform are proud of what the team has accomplished. For Logan Pierce and William Teal, the feeling runs a little deeper.

Pierce and Tea grew up playing recreation baseball on the fields around Troy, they played high school ball on Frazier Field at Hogan’s Hole. They have worn Troy across their chest for the vast majority of their baseball careers. Now, they get to represent Troy on college baseball’s biggest stage, the NCAA tournament.

“I grew up watching Troy play, obviously coming up in high school I wanted to play here one day,” said Teal, a senior pitcher.

“After two years of junior college I was fortunate enough to get the opportunity to come to Troy and play. I was lucky to get to make the trip [NCAA Regional] two years ago to Vanderbilt, but honestly I didn’t feel like a big part of the team because I was coming off surgery. This year, I’ve been able to help out on the field in my own way. It’s a special experience.”

Teal says what makes this Troy team special is group’s togetherness.

“The camaraderie of this team is ridiculous. We’re all really close, we all know what we want to do and that’s to win a regional. I think this team knows how to do that,” Teal said.

Teal recovered from his aforementioned surgery and lowered arm slot to help add movement and better his control.

In 14 appearances this season Teal has struck out 13 batters while walking just four.

“I feel a lot better. I feel like I’m able to get ahead of batters, which is something I had problems with in the past,”