The Troy AAA team will play for the district championship tonight, thanks to a 16-1 win over Greenville on Monday.

After struggling against Luverne on Saturday, coach Kevin Adams was happy to see his team come out strong early on Monday.

“It’s awesome,” Adams said. “It was much better than last game. We came out and hit from the first inning on. Everybody on the team one through 12 hit the ball really well. When you can do that and throw strikes and play defense, it’s a good combination.”

Troy sent seven batters to the plate and scored four runs on four hits in the first inning. Jackson Cleveland got the scoring started in the first inning when he singled in Parker Adams. After Bradley Prestwood reached on an error, Wes Braisted cleared the bases and scored both Prestwood and Cleveland on a triple.

Malachi Cooper closed in the scoring with a single that scored Braisted.

Troy finished the game with 14 hits.

“You just have to hit the ball hard,” Adams said. “As we get to stronger teams a lot of the balls may not fall, but this is a big confidence. It’s good to have these games because of the confidence builder.”

Greenville cut into their deficit in the top of the second inning when they scored a run on a walk and a single. Troy answered, sending 16 batters to the plate and scoring 10 runs.

Jackson Booth, Jordan McBryde, Braden Prestwood, Parker Adams and Wes Braisted all had run producing hits in the inning.

Troy ended the game with two runs in the third off a Tyler Martin double and Cleveland sacrifice fly.

John Lott pitched for Troy and lasted all three innings, allowing one run and striking out seven.

Troy will play Luverne at 6 p.m. today for the championship. A Troy loss would force a second and deciding game immediately after. Adams is eager to face the team again.

“They came out and played us tough in the first few innings in the last game,” Adams said. “I want to see us come out with the same fire that we had today. I think they’re ready for a chance to get back at Luverne. It’s going to be interesting.”