Pre-Majors stay alive, beat Jackson County

Published 10:51 pm Friday, July 15, 2011

GUNTERSVILLE – Two big innings catapulted Troy’s Pre-Majors to a 15-2 victory over Jackson County Friday.

Troy would actually fall behind early when Stewart walked the lead-off batter in the first inning. After a strikeout and another walk, a defensive miscue gave Jackson County a 1-0 lead.

Troy didn’t trail long, however. In the second, Rhett Tucker was hit by a pitch. Brantley Lecroy singled and Morgan Shaver drew a base on balls. Again, poor defense would lead to runs. This time Troy would be on the receiving end. A misplayed grounder by Jackson County’s first baseman scored two Troy runs and one batter later another would cross on a sacrifice fly putting Troy ahead 3-1.

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Troy would add a run in the third when Tucker doubled home Luke Hastings.

The game would remain tight until the sixth when Troy exploded for five runs on hits from Stewart, Tucker, Dustin Newman, John Johnson, and Joey Denison giving Troy a 9-1 advantage.

Troy scored another six runs in the seventh inning to blow the game open.

Lawson Stewart was 4-for-6 at the plate and pitched five solid innings to lead the barrage.

Troy will play either Selma or Smith Station today at 9 a.m. A win in that game and Troy will play Sunday at 4:30pm in the semifinals.

Troy fell to the loser’s bracket by losing to Westside, 10-0, on Thursday.