The Machine Pitch Rookie team is the first to take the field for Troy in a state tournament this year, opening play against Muscle Shoals at 3 p.m. today.

“We had a really good week of practice before we took time off for the holiday,” said head coach Bobby Templin. “We have been showing improvements defensively, not just fielding the ball but getting the ball in quickly, and throwing the ball to the right spots … They have improved tremendously at that.”

The Rookies finished as runners up in the district tournament, struggling early with offense.

“We have become more consistent when it comes to our offense,” Templin said. “We are hitting the ball well and with authority. You never know until you get out there, but as a whole during practice we have done well.”

The Rookies had the opportunity to scrimmage against the Troy AA Machine pitch team. “There is nothing like playing,” Templin said. “It makes a big difference. You cannot substitute game type experience when it comes to having base runners and being able to field and throw people out.”

He also said the Rookies are excited to be playing in Oxford.

“They are all excited and they are looking forward to it,” Templin said. “The kids are excited about traveling together. They are looking forward to the entire experience. They seem to understand that our goal is to win and come back as state champions.”

The Rookies will be one of 12 teams to advance to the state tournament and they would love nothing more than to proudly represent the City of Troy.

“We all appreciate the amount of success Troy has had not this year but over the years,” Templin said. “We don’t want to put too much pressure on ourselves but we are aware of that. We are going to do what we can to represent Troy the best way possible.”