Remaining teams gear up for state tournaments
Published 7:34 pm Thursday, July 12, 2018
With the weekend quickly approaching, the next round of state playoffs are set to begin for the local all-star teams here in Troy.
Troy had 11 total teams in both baseball and softball participate in state tournaments a week ago. Two teams from Troy, the Belles and the 6U team won the state championship. The Belles, with their fifth championship in the last six years, clinched a spot in the World Series in Louisiana beginning on July 27.
Now it’s time for four others to begin their run towards a state championship.
The Troy Ozone team began play in the state tournament on Thursday in Greenville with a 6-1 win against Southeastern Blue. Troy will be back in action again today at 6 p.m. against Alexandria. The tournament will run through Tuesday with the winner earning a spot in the World Series.
The AAA Americans, fresh off their undefeated run to a district championship will head to Eufaula for their state tournament. Their first game will begin this evening at 8 p.m. when they take on the Dothan Americans on field 7.
“They are ready to play,” said head coach David Nelson. “They are tired of practicing. It’s been three weeks of layoff between the district tournament and the state tournament. We took a few days off and got back to practice. They are ready to play.”
The Dixie Boys got a late start under head coach Chris Huner, but now will play their second tournament in back-to-back weeks when they travel to Enterprise to take part in their state tournament. Huner and his squad will open up play on Saturday beginning at 4 p.m. against Fairhope.
“If we can pick up where we left off in the last game at district we should do pretty well,” Huner said.
The Troy Junior Dixie Boys are the last local team to see any action. They will get their first taste in the state tournament on Saturday. Billy Jefcoat’s team will open up against Selma beginning at 7 p.m.
“We have been getting ready for a long time,” Jefcoat said. “It’s extremely difficult because the boredom of practice sets in. We have four games under our belt in warmup, scrimmage-type situations. We haven’t put on our jerseys and caps yet and gone out and played.”
Troy has one more team still alive. The Dixie Boys 15U team are awaiting their opportunity to play in the World Series in Ozark beginning on July 19.