Troy Post 70 finishes close

Published 11:55 pm Sunday, July 19, 2009

Troy Post 70 wrapped up its season Sunday with yet another close loss, this time losing 5-4 to Tuscaloosa Navy on the final day of the Alabama American Legion Junior State Tournament.

The latest loss came after Post 70 lost its first two games in extra innings.

“It was a good, hard-fought game,” said Troy head coach Bradley Futch. “These kids came out here with nothing to play for but pride and they played their hearts out. They left it all on the field. After the last two nights and the tough losses we’ve had, you really can’t ask for much more than that.”

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Troy had a chance to tie the game in the top of the seventh when it put runners on second and third with just one out, but Austin Adler was thrown out at the plate when he attempted to score on a ground ball that bounced off of Tuscaloosa Navy pitcher Hunter Purvis’ glove.

“That last play was probably a little bit my fault,” Futch said. “I got a little greedy and I sent a kid because I thought the ball got a little bit farther away from the pitcher than it actually did.”

K.D. Edenfield came up to the plate with runners on first and third with a chance to tie the game, but struck out on a called third strike.

All of the runs scored in the game came in the fifth, when Troy scored four in the top half of the inning. Tuscaloosa Navy responded with five runs in the bottom of the fifth.

Troy’s four runs were driven in on a two RBI double by James Connell and a two RBI single by Austin Adler.

Edenfield allowed five runs and took the loss for Troy, but just three of the five runs scored by Tuscaloosa Navy were earned.

Despite the disappointing end to the season, Futch said the team has a bright future.

“They’ve fought hard all year,” Futch said. “I have absolutely enjoyed these kids. It’s been a great experience for me and I hoped they all learned something along the way. They’re a great group of kids and they’ll do some special things at Charles Henderson in the near future.”