Jabe Boroff, a slugger for the Troy Trojans, has become known as "Jabe Ruth" after a stunning surge in the Men’s NCAA Tournament that has put his team on the brink of a historic run.
The Trojans entered the tournament as a 29‑loss Sun Belt program, a rarity for a team with that many defeats, yet Boroff’s late‑season form transformed their outlook.
A Late‑Season Awakening
After opening the season hitting below .200 and managing just one home run in early May, Boroff found his rhythm when it mattered most, delivering a go‑ahead double in the elimination game against Ole Miss and finishing the tournament with 21 RBI, the most since 2008.
His 21 RBI not only set a new tournament record but also underscored a broader breakout performance that saw him bat .452 over 50 games at Enterprise State Community College before joining Troy.
Joining him in the spotlight, teammate Jimmy Janicki and veteran Skip Johnson have also turned heads, contributing key hits that have kept the Trojans competitive against traditional powerhouses such as West Virginia and North Carolina.
The unexpected run has sparked conversation about the team’s resilience and the potential impact of a late‑season adjustment that could redefine expectations for mid‑major programs.
Coach Skip Johnson emphasized the importance of confidence and preparation, noting that the team’s preparation in the final weeks of the regular season laid the groundwork for the tournament’s intensity.
The Trojans’ journey, from a modest 29‑loss campaign to the College World Series, illustrates how a single player’s resurgence can ripple through an entire program, offering a blueprint for other underdog teams.