Casagrande: Troy ‘fighters and killers’ make history and it was awesome
Troy's ride didn't end on Sunday because you can't kill these Trojans.
Olivia Bennett 
This is an opinion column.
Troy fans were in no rush to leave Charles Schwab Field on Sunday. Even as Omaha security began the task of clearing the stands under the late afternoon sun, the faithful lingered to savor a milestone moment in program history.
A Defining Victory
With a final score of 12-8 against Mississippi, these Trojans proved they are far from just tourists on the national stage. After battling through a hard-fought loss to West Virginia on Friday, Troy clawed back against an SEC powerhouse to keep its season alive. As noted by 205focus.com, this comeback victory was exactly the kind of gritty performance that defines this team.
The success is part of a banner year for Troy athletics, arguably the department's best since joining Division I in 1993. From a football team that pushed Clemson to a Sun Belt title game appearance, to major accomplishments in basketball, the momentum is undeniable.
Resilience in Omaha
While other mid-major programs have seen their Omaha runs fade quickly, this Troy squad refuses to quit. Falling into a 6-2 hole against Mississippi—a deficit created by two-run homers and an early exit for starter Tommy Egan—would have broken a lesser team. Instead, Noah Thigpen stepped in to provide five-plus innings of crucial relief, earning a standing ovation as he exited in the ninth.
Head coach Skylar Meade, clearly unhappy with his team's initial intensity, reminded his players of their identity after the rough start. "I don’t care that we’re in front of 24,013 people, we are who we are, and we’re fighters and we’re killers," Meade said. His team responded, fueling a rally that included big home runs from Jimmy Janicki and Blake Cavill.
The Road Ahead
Troy’s ability to survive elimination is nothing new; the team went four-for-four in elimination games during the Gainesville Regional. Now, after sending an SEC opponent home, the Trojans turn their attention to Tuesday at 1 p.m. CT, where they will face West Virginia in another do-or-die scenario.
For the fans in Nebraska and those watching back home in the Wiregrass, the journey is far from over. As they proved on Sunday, you simply cannot kill this Troy team.
