Troy erases seven-run deficit to defeat Enterprise
Published 9:28 pm Wednesday, June 27, 2012
A seven-run third inning by Enterprise Nationals couldn’t discourage Troy in the “O”Zone Distrcit 9 Tournament championship game at the Troy Sportsplex on Wednesday.
The host team came storming back to score 10 runs in the bottom half of the third and six more in the fourth to defeat Enterprise 16-7 and claim the district crown.
Troy’s offense could not get going in the first two innings as Wood Jinright, due to a first inning fielding error, was the lone batter to reach base.
Jinright was also Troy’s starting pitcher, cruising through the first two frames before running into trouble in the third.
Enterprise led off the inning with a walk before Jinright earned a strikeout. Enterprise then picked six consecutive hits – Wood Jinright was relieved by Reed Jinright with one out. A three-run home run by Darius Griffin capped the big inning but Troy was far from surrender.
Dawson Hamlin led off the bottom of the third with a walk before Brian Redmon doubled. Garrett Tucker would drive them both home on a single to right field. After Spencer Floyd walked and Ridge Knotts executed a sacrifice bunt, Reed and Wood Jinright each walked to load the bases. Hunter Reeves laced a two-out line drive into the gap in right-center field. Enterprise’s right fielder appeared to make an outstanding diving catch but as he hit the ground, the ball was dislodged from his glove allowing three runs to score. Graham Wilkes and Juhmir Lampley each followed with singles. Cole Little walked to score a run. Hamlin, batting for the second time in the inning, reached on a error that allowed two more runs to score. Troy would lead 10-7.
Troy would use hits from Reed Jinright, Reeves, Little, and Floyd in the fourth to add six runs to its advantage.
Reeves pitched the final three innings for Troy to preserve the victory.
With the win, Troy earns a berth in the “O”Zone State Tournament in Fairhope. The tournament is set to begin July 13.