Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

On Wednesday, D1Softball released its preseason position rankings with Troy’s Taylor McKinney landing on the Top 10 of second basemen in the country. 

McKinney landed at No. 10 in the rankings with she and No. 5 Brooklyn Ulrich of Marshall being the lone Sun Belt Conference representatives to make the Top 10. McKinney is entering her senior season with the Trojans off All-Sun Belt and NFCA All-Region honors last season. She boasted a .343 batting average last season with a .550 slugging percentage, 37 runs, 28 RBIs, seven doubles, two triples and six home runs. Defensively, she boasted a .949 fielding percentage with 105 putouts, 61 assists and three assists. 

“I love this recognition for Taylor,” Troy coach Eric Newell said. “She really is one of the country’s top players and very deserving of this honor. She truly is a 5-tool player. We are looking forward to the upcoming season and will rely heavily on her leadership, experience and versatility throughout the spring.”

McKinney is a two-time All-Sun Belt selection and in her career at Troy she’s held a .329 batting average with 96 runs, 20 doubles, six triples, 25 homers and 104 RBIs. She also holds a career .960 fielding percentage, 280 putouts and 106 assists. 

McKinney and the Trojans open the 2025 season on Feb. 6 at home against Tennessee State but the softball team will also hold its annual Fan Day – in conjunction with Troy Baseball – on Jan. 25. After a softball scrimmage at 10:45 a.m., Fan Day will be held in the concourse of Trojan Arena at 5 p.m. ahead of the Troy vs. South Alabama basketball game.