Troy Post 70 kicked off the Riddle-Pace Classic with a bang Friday afternoon when they defeated both Birmingham Baseball and Excel 14-0 and 4-1.

After struggling for much of the early portions of the summer, the offense for Post 70 exploded in game one against Birmingham.

“I challenged them before the game to come out with a different intensity,” said Post 70 head coach Rush Hixon. “They had a better approach at the plate and we took pitches that we needed to take. We hit the ball and got on base. We capitalized on some hits and we finally got the timely hitting that we have wanted.”

Troy scored nine runs in the second inning to pace their way to an easy victory.

Troy starter Reece Burbage pitched all four innings in the shortened contest without letting up a run.

“He filled up the zone and threw a lot of strikes,” Hixon said. “He made a couple put outs himself that was a big lift for him. He threw strikes and that is going to be our recipe for success all summer long.”

Burbage allowed two hits and struck out four.

Post 70 finished with a total of 11 hits led by Logan Thompson, Casey Henderson and Chandler Davis, who all had two hits during the game.

Game two was a bit more of white-knuckle affair. Post 70 was out hit in the game but made their hits count by scoring four runs to defeat Excel.

“Excel is always a really good opponent,” Hixon said. “They are a great program and they will always put up a good fight. We knew we had to pick up the intensity in that game.”

Jackson Byrd carried over the pitching performance in game two and pitched seven innings while only allowing one run on seven hits.

“It was one of the best games that I have personally seen him have,” Hixon said. “He commanded the strike zone and let the defense work.”

Post 70 finished with six hits led by Zach Taylor’s two hits.

Post 70 will turn around and take on the East Cobb Astros at 7:30 p.m. today at Riddle Pace Field.