Special to The Messenger

All the way from Freeport in the Bahamas, Troy’s freshman outfielder Ali Knowles has been impressing fans with his clutch batting, outstanding outfield plays and fun personality. But how does the man from the Bahamas make it all the way to Troy, Alabama, as a Trojan?

“It’s a long story,” he said. “I was in the 11th grade and Coach Pierce came down for a showcase in Freeport. I guess he liked what he saw and then I had a pretty good senior year. They contacted me and that’s how I ended up here.”

It didn’t take long for Knowles to adjust to life in Alabama. Knowles says there were not very many differences between living in Troy and living in the Bahamas, but there are a few things that he misses from back home.

“I think the only things different about home and here would probably be the weather and food,” Knowles said. “I don’t want to knock no body and say they can’t cook, but back home the food is good. I like mamma’s cooking.” Knowles said with a grin.

Besides what he does on the baseball diamond each and every day, Head Coach Bobby Pierce says he loves the kind of fun personality that Knowles brings to the team, something that cannot be coached.

“Ali has been a guy that is kind of a jokester,” he said. “The other guys on the team have enjoyed that. He’s just a fun kid that doesn’t take himself too seriously, but he is a hard working serious player and you like that combination.”

“I just wanted to help the team out any way I could,” Knowles said. “Whether its base running, defense or cheering on in the dugout, I just wanted to be a part of the program.”