The Troy Ozone team began the state tournament in fine fashion when they knocked off Southeastern Blue 6-1 in Greenville.

The win for Troy advances them into the winner’s bracket, where they will face off with Alexandria.

“When you go in the loser’s bracket after the first game it’s tough,” said head coach Josh Prestwood. “It means you have at least two more games. As long as you stay in the winner’s bracket, you have a chance.”

For Prestwood and Troy, it was just nice to get back on the field.

“I told my assistant coaches after practice that I am ready to play,” Prestwood said. “I know my kids are. We practiced a lot, but you can only do so much at practice.”

Parker Adams got the start for Troy in game one. The goal for Prestwood was to keep Adams to under 40 pitches in the opening outing. Adams threw 39 pitches and was pulled from the game without allowing a hit.

Jackson Cleveland followed Adams on the mound in the fourth inning. He pitched 37 pitches before being pulled with two outs in the sixth inning. Kade Brookins came in and finished the game.

At the plate, Pruitt Vaughn picked up a hit, while Adams had two hits to help his cause on the mound. Jackson Booth and Braden Prestwood also both got hits.

“We hit the ball well,” Prestwood said. “We hit some balls hard. A lot of the balls we hit hard were hit right at somebody. We hit the ball on the button today, but right at the left-fielder, center-fielder and right-fielder. If those were 10 feet left or right, they are in the gap.”

Troy will square off with Alexandria beginning at 6 p.m. in Greenville.

“Alexandria got beat by Dothan last year in the rookie state championship game,” Prestwood said. “They hit the ball well. Tomorrow is going to be a lot tougher game.”