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Troy infielder Drew Frederic already felt like the veteran when he stepped on the field as a fifth year senior. Now he will become head coach Mark Smartt’s first six-year player when he returns to Riddle-Pace Field next spring.

Frederic was one of six Trojan seniors to announce they would be taking advantage of the extra year of eligibility given to each spring athlete by the NCAA. He will be joined by Lance Johnson, Ryan Fultz, Dalton Sinquefield, Zack Moore and Max Newton.

“It wasn’t much of a decision for me to come back,” Frederic said. “I made the decision that I didn’t want to be done playing. I don’t want to go and be an adult yet, so coming back with my teammates and the other seniors is going to be awesome.

“I have enjoyed my time more than anything in the world,” Frederic said. “If you would have told me I was going to be here for six years I would have told you that you were crazy. I couldn’t be more thankful for it.”

Smartt wasn’t sure how his seniors were going to handle the extra year of eligibility. But, after sitting down with Frederic, Smartt quickly got the impression that he was coming back.”

“Making history,” Smartt said. “I’m proud ill have my first opportunity. I had an old coach tell me years ago to keep the cleats on as long as you can. Drew talks about putting off being an adult, but this was an adult decision. I’m proud he is going to be back along with the other five seniors.”

Among Division I players, Frederic ranks inside the top 10 in games played, at-bats, runs, hits, stolen bases and total bases.

Frederic was on pace to have another strong year in 2020. In 17 games played, Frederic hit .409 with six extra base hits, 13 RBI and a league leading 11 stolen bases.

Frederic’s .409 batting average was good enough for second best in the conference behind Little Rock’s Kale Ernshoff, who was hitting .417. He was six in on-base perentage (.500), eighth in runs scored (18) and third in hits (27).

Despite his individual success during the shortened season, Frederic reflects on the lost season from a team point of view.

“We were having a decent season at the beginning,” Frederic said. “I don’t really care about what I was doing, it was just sad the way everybody finished. It’s not fun for any of us, but we have next year.”

Frederic’s name has been brought up as a potential Major League Baseball draft pick this June.

“I’m not really counting on it right now,” Frederic said. “I’m still preparing like I’m going to play this summer. It’s not causing me to prepare any differently than normal.”