Troy’s pitching machine tournament team began their quest for a state championship this Friday, looking to get off to the kind of start that would boost their confidence.

Fate would have other plans for the Troy faithful, as they fell to AUM’s Green team 2-0 in the first game of the tournament.

Both teams were solid defensively, able to make plays in the infield and outfield that would hinder offensive productivity from the team at the plate.

AUM Green, however, was able to find the gaps in the park at the right time, rendering Troy helpless as they capitalized on every Troy hit that came their way.

AUM Green’s defensive play was solid right from the get-go, as they forced Troy to go three and out for the first three innings.

“It was a good battle and a good game. We ran into some good competition,” head coach David Nelson said.

“We hit the ball solid but we hit it right at them. They made the plays they had to make. That’s what a good defense does.”

Both teams were locked at zeros until AUM Green was able to break through in the fourth inning. Thomas Stovali hit a sacrifice fly that resulted in an RBI after Douglas Johnson was able to connect on a triple.

AUM struck once again in the fifth inning when Carson Horn hit an RBI single that brought in Desi Donohop who had been stranded at second through two batters after his double.

Troy’s infield defense was solid throughout the entire game though. There was a multitude of times that a double play could have been turned.

Nelson believed his team was hitting the ball solid whenever they came up to the plate, but AUM Green had an answer for each of their hits.

“It wasn’t because we weren’t hitting the ball hard. They just made the plays.”

Nelson said.

Troy will be bumped down to the loser’s bracket, which could be a blessing in disguise for them.

“I hope we come out and play good defense again. We played solid defense, but hopefully the hits will fall.”

Troy takes on Daphne tonight at 5 pm in Enterprise.

For Troy, Drew Nelson went 1-for-2 with a double, Nate Braisted went 0-for-2, Darryl Lee went 0-for-2, Press Jefcoat went 0-for-2, Skylar Kidd went 0-for-2, LaQuarian Rodgers went 0-for-2, Ben Reeves went 0-for-2, Adrian Cardwell went 1-for-2 with a single, DeAndrey Henderson went 0-for-2, Bailey Sparrow went 1-for-1 with a single, Brady Hunter went 0-for-1 and Noah Prestwood went 0-for-1.