After splitting a mid-week series on the road with the North Florida Ospreys the Troy Trojans open up a seven-game home stand tonight against the LeMoyne Dolphins.

After spending all but five games on the road the Trojans (9-5) are home for 10 of the next 14 games on the schedule.

“We are glad to get back home and I know the team is ready to play in front of the home crowd again,” said Mark Smartt, Troy assistant coach speaking for head coach Bobby Pierce who has laryngitis. “We gave them the day off (yesterday) to regroup.”

The Trojans won the first game with North Florida 8-7, but lost 10-9 yesterday in 12 innings.

The Dolphins come in with a 2-8 record, but Smartt said records could be deceiving.

“Their record is not great, but they have played a bunch of tough competition in Tulane and Georgia,” Smartt said. “They may be a poor team on paper, but they have a lot of talented players. Our challenge will be to make sure our players are aware that they are a good team. There are no easy games in Division I baseball.”

To come away with the series victory, Smartt said it all starts on the mound.

“We have pitched well so far this season,” he said. “We struggled in yesterday’s game, but our bullpen has been fabulous this year.”

The Trojans will switch things up a little bit for this weekend’s series, as they will throw Jason Walls on Friday and Tyler Ray will take the mound for Saturday’s contest.

“Jason has thrown well the last two times he went out there,” Smartt said. “If we can get 6-7 innings out of him and turn it over to our bullpen we will be in good shape. That will give us time to get a lead and hopefully our bullpen can close the door.”

Jeff Green is scheduled to get the nod in Sunday’s contest.

“Jeff has been one of our better relievers and he has earned the start,” Smartt said. “And he is a senior so it is always good to have an experienced guy on the mound if the series is on the line.”

Smartt said the Trojans are looking forward to the home slate of games through the next couple of weeks.

“Hopefully this home stretch will get us going, get the fans excited and get us energized,” Smartt said.

The Friday and Saturday games are scheduled for a 6 p.m. start and Sunday’s finale is scheduled for 1 p.m.