John Baxley Sanders’ three-run homerun helped the Troy Junior Dixie Boys defeat Enterprise 8-5 on Monday.

The game was the first in a best-of-three series to determine the district champion, and Troy battled from a two-run deficit in the fourth inning to capture the win.

“It feels great,” said Troy’s head coach Eric Ernsberger. “It shows that the kid’s never gave up even when they got down. They battled back and got us back in the game. If we can compete, we will come out ahead.”

Anthony Gurba got the start for Troy. Gurba pitched 4.2 innings and allowed four runs, one of which was earned, on three hits while striking out four and walking one. Levi Sikes came in and pitched the remaining 2.1 innings and only allowed one run on one hit.

Troy’s offense finished with 10 hits by seven different batters. Sanders led the way by going 3-4 with four RBIs. Davis Allen also finished with two hits.

They took an early lead in the first inning when Gurba grounded out to first base to score Javon Christian, who had reached base on a single to center field.

Troy increased the lead to 2-0 in the third when Sanders singled in Allen.

Enterprise battled back in the fourth inning, scoring three runs on two hits.

Troy scored three more runs in the fifth. Allen scored the first run when Christian reached safely on an error by the shortstop. Marx Copeland singled, scoring Christian, and Scott Taylor Renfroe scored the final run when Sikes grounded out to the short stop.

After Enterprise scored run in the fifth, Troy scored three more runs in the sixth when Sanders hit a homerun to centerfield.

Troy will now take a 1-0 series lead into game two at 6 p.m. today. A win for Troy clenches the district title. A loss forces a third, deciding game.

“We have to get our pitching going early,” Ernsberger said. “We will be the home team (today). Hopefully we can shut them down in the first inning and then come in and get the momentum on our side.”