DOTHAN – Just three wins from a berth in the state tournament, Troy’s Dixie Boys team battled South Dale in the winner’s bracket of the District 6 tournament Tuesday night.

As of press time, Troy led 6-3 in the bottom of the fifth inning. Be sure to check www.troymessenger.com for the full wrap-up.

Troy advanced with wins over Crenshaw County (16-2) and Ashford (8-2). South Dale comes into the match-up having knocked off Geneva and Dothan.

With a victory, Troy will advance to play in the 8 p.m. semifinal game today against the winner of the Crenshaw County-Dothan game. A loss will place them in the 6 p.m. semifinal versus either Geneva or Ashford.

After pummeling Crenshaw Friday, Troy’s 14-year-old Dixie Boys team had a bit more of a challenge with Ashford in an 8-2 win Saturday.

Hunter Baggett scored on a wild pitch to break a 2-2 tie and Devon Hooks hit a double with the bases loaded scoring all three runners in the sixth to give Troy a 6-2 lead.

“They tested us today,” head coach Gary Fox said, “Ashford has a good team and we really had to fight for this win.”

Troy took a 1-0 lead when Austin Ingram led off the game with a double and scored later on an error. Chase Hartley would score in the second on a wild pitch to make the score 2-0.

Ashford responded with single runs in the bottom of the second and third innings to tie the game.

Troy would add two runs in the seventh to cap the scoring.

Hartley started on the mound for Troy pitching 2 2/3 innings allowing two runs on three hits while striking out four.

Jason Fleming pitched the remaining 4 1/3 striking out six batters while giving up five hits.

“Fleming did a good job in relief. Coach [Brett] Stallworth saw they were having trouble hitting the curveball so we went ahead and made the change,” said Fox.

Fox said after the game he planned on letting Hartley pitch to his 95-pitch limit but felt the change in strategy was due solely to the difference in pitching styles.

“Hartley was our guy today and did a good job but we felt Fleming’s curveball would be effective against what they were trying to do.”

Baggett and Hooks both finished 2-for-3 and the plate.