When Tommy Egan received the ball with a chance to create history for Troy University, it marked the end of an arduous journey. In his fifth season of college baseball and his fourth school, Egan earned the role of starting pitcher for Game 2 of Troy’s super regional against Little Rock. The Trojans played on their home turf, seeking their first College World Series appearance.
Egan described the experience as surreal. “Pitching in the super was super special,” he said. “The adrenaline was overwhelming. I felt more adrenaline then than in Omaha. Fans occupied the football stands, looking down on us and surrounding the field. It was really cool.”
Under intense pressure, Egan delivered one of his most outstanding performances. The senior right-hander struck out eight batters over 7 1/3 innings, conceding two earned runs on five hits, in a decisive 7-2 victory. This win allowed coach Skylar Meade and the Trojans to advance to the College World Series in Omaha.
“Helping Troy reach Omaha means everything,” Egan remarked. “It felt important to achieve it for Skylar. He truly cares about the players. After a loss, we knew he wouldn’t sleep that night. He’s very passionate, and you just want to win for him.”
The historic win occurred on June 6, coinciding with Mount Carmel’s triumph over Brother Rice in a Class 4A sectional title match. Egan’s father, Mark, an assistant coach for the Caravan, was present in Troy to witness the event. Mount Carmel coach Brian Hurry confirmed that he hustled from the Brother Rice game to watch Tommy pitch on TV. Hurry later traveled to Omaha to support Tommy at the College World Series.
Troy’s journey in Omaha involved a record of 1-2. They defeated Ole Miss 12-8, but faced two losses against West Virginia with scores of 7-5 and 12-0. Egan played a role in the victory, pitching two innings and yielding four earned runs.
Egan reflected on the Omaha experience. “Playing in Omaha was amazing,” he said. “The first game featured a flyover, and we got to play first. It was an unforgettable experience.”
Despite some challenges, Egan completed the season with a 6-5 record, a 5.46 ERA, and 101 strikeouts over 89 innings. He fought through a calf injury that affected his mechanics and velocity. “I was throwing at 84 or 86 mph,” he noted. “I hadn’t thrown that slow since my sophomore year of high school. For other teams, I would have stopped, but this team mattered. I accepted that I wouldn’t have my best form, but I’d still perform well.”
Egan’s college path included Iowa Western, then Houston, and Illinois-Chicago. He’s now considering professional prospects. Regardless, this year remains unforgettable. “I had to be content with playing baseball, not knowing if it would be my last year,” Egan reflected. “Reaching Omaha made it all worthwhile.”