The Troy AAA Americans took home a championship on Tuesday evening when they defeated Andalusia 10-1. Now they turn their sights to a best two-out-of-three series against the District East winner on Friday night.

“We have a solid team and everyone played a role in a successful tournament,” said head coach David Nelson. “We pitched well, played defense and had consistent, quality at-bats. It was an all-around solid effort by everyone.”

Troy finished the tournament with an undefeated record.

“It was really pitching and defense,” Nelson said. “We expected to hit the ball and score runs, but we knew we were only going to be as good as our pitching and defense.”

With the quality players that Troy has to offer, it wasn’t a surprise to Nelson that his defense and pitching stepped up when they did.

“It was expected,” Nelson said. “We have a great group of boys. They have a talent, so we knew we knew we were going to have a strong defense if our pitchers went out there and threw strikes.”

Troy sent six different pitchers to the mound in Luverne including Dawson Bradford, John Foster Hamm, Luke Barron and Slade Russell.

“We threw six different pitchers in the tournament and they were obviously successful,” Nelson said. “We only allowed five runs in five games. It was good pitching.”

At the plate, Troy has had a lineup that has been balanced from top to bottom.

“We have really hit well,” Nelson said. “It hasn’t been one or two particular kids that stepped up and hit great. There were a lot of extra base hits and balls that were hit to the outfield. Even the ones that didn’t get base hits were hit solid.”

With the series on the horizon, Troy will spend their limited time off resting and trying to stay fresh.

“It’s really just a matter of staying loose, getting some swings in and getting ready for Friday night,” Nelson said.

After playing in a six-team tournament in Luverne, Nelson believes there will be subtle changes to how he coaches a two-team best two-out-of-three series.

“The pitching will probably play a factor,” Nelson said. “I haven’t thought it through about who is going to pitch when, but I think it changes a little bit.”

Friday night will feature the first two games of the double-header. If necessary, game three will be played on Saturday at a time still to be determined.

Along with Nelson, Troy is coached by Dax Pugh and Steve Barron. The players include Jack Baggett, Luke Barron, Dawson Bradford, Peyton Elliott, Charlie Fountain, John Foster Hamm, Brody Joyce, Jaden Law, Carter Nelson, Owen Pugh, Slade Russell and Tucker Vaughn.