It took almost two months, but the Troy Dixie Youth Americans team finally competed in a tournament game.

During that stretch, the team played scrimmages against each other and against other teams, but none of that mattered coming into Saturday’s opening round game against Hartselle in the State Tournament.

Despite getting off to a slow start, the team was able to bounce back thanks to a combination of pitching, fielding and hitting to win, 4-1.

“Once the guys began to settle down, things started to go our way,” head coach Frank Scarbrough said.

“But it was a combination of tremendous defense, great pitching and good hitting that got us this win. Hartselle is a very solid team, but we were able to get the job done (Saturday night),” the coach added.

Taking the mound for Troy was Wood Jinright, Garrett Tucker and Cole Little.

An din the end, all three had something in common at the end of the game, as each held the opposition hitless.

Jinwright started off the game, and in his two innings of work walked six batters, including the only Hartselle run, while striking out three.

Tucker came in in relief for Jinwright, pitching two more inning, striking out one and walking three.

Little finished off the game for the host team, walking just one batter.

“Once the guys starting throwing strikes, everything changed for us,” Scarbrough said.

“I thought all three pitchers did a great job for us. Anytime a team does not get a hit in game at this level says a lot – I’m very proud of them all.”

Offensively, Troy did not take off until the fourth inning.

Going into that inning, Troy just had two hits, and two walks, however, in the bottom of the fourth, after both Garrett Tucker and Wood Jinright reached base, Troy got on the board with a Dawson Hamlin double over the left fielder’s head.

As it turned out, those would be the only runs Troy would need to secure the first round victory.

Later in the fourth, Brian Redmon would bring Hamlin around to score to give Troy a 3-1 lead.

Troy would add one more run in the bottom of the fifth inning when Spencer Floyd came across home plate thanks to a Hartselle error.

In Scarbrough’s mind, the biggest thing going against Troy at the beginning of the game, was themselves.

“Of course nerves played a big role at first,” he said. “That’s why it took us so long to get going.”

“This was the biggest crowd they had played in front of this summer but once they started to find their focus and settle down, things changed and we got a huge hit from Dawson.”

For the game, Reed Jinright finished 1-3, while Hamlin finished 1-2 with two-RBIs and a run scored. Lawson Scarbrough finished 1-2 with a double and Brian Redmon finished 0-1 with a walk and an RBI.

Noah Lowery finished 1-1 with a single and a walk.

“I’m just proud of how the kids played,” Scarbrough said. “They didn’t give up and they showed what kind of team they are – this is going to be a fun tournament.”

Next for Troy will be the Auburn Blue team, at 4:30 p.m. Sunday afternoon.

“I’m thankful for the opportunity to be coaching these great kids,” Scarbrough said. “I am very thankful to be in this position.”