Tourney time: Troy picks up win against Ozark before falling to Enterprise on day three of tournament
Published 9:50 pm Monday, July 16, 2018
- Photo/Dan Smith Skylar Kidd of the Troy Dixie Boys tournament team fires a pitch against Opelika Monday afternoon in the state tournament in Enterprise.
The Troy Dixie Boys continued play in the state tournament in Enterprise on Monday afternoon. Troy begin the day with a 3-1 win over Ozark before falling to Enterprise 4-2.
Troy picked up just three hits, but that was enough to keep them undefeated.
“Both teams played really well,” said head coach Chris Huner. “Skylar Kidd pitched a heck of a game. It was a well-played game by both sides and it was a battle from start to finish. I was proud of the guys for getting ahead early and holding on.”
Troy scored in each of the first two innings against Opelika. Troy scored the game’s first two runs in the top of the first inning. Daryl Lee began the scoring with a double to drive in Nate Braisted. Jayden Jordan followed suit with a double of his own to drive in Lee.
Troy increased their lead to 3-0 in the second inning when Case Chirico scored on a dropped third strike that allowed Lee to reach first base.
Opelika scored their lone run in the bottom of the third inning courtesy of three singles.
The three opening doubles that led to Troy’s two runs in the first were the only hits Troy registered in the game.
It was more than enough for starting pitcher Skylar Kidd. Kidd pitched a complete game for Troy and allowed just three hits of his own, but struck out 10 batters without allowing a walk.
“I am proud of him,” Huner said. “He had very good control of his pitches. We were working them in on their hands. He was hitting the locations that we were calling. Throwing 10 strikeouts was really good against a very good team.”
Troy’s first hit and double of the game was by Braisted.
“We did enough on the offensive end to get ahead,” Huner said. “I would like to get some more runs late to get a little more comfort and cushion. They had two good pitchers and we were lucky enough to jump on them right at the beginning.”
Troy had a brief lead over Enterprise before falling for the first time in the tournament.
Braisted got the start for Troy in game two. Braisted pitched three innings and allowed three runs on three hits while walking two batters.
Noah Prestwood and Brady Huner also got on the mound in game two.
Troy matched Enterprise with four hits in the loss. Cardwell finished 2-3 at the plate with an RBI. Troy also had hits by Braisted and Jeff Warrick.
Braisted helped his own cause in the first inning when he scored on an Adrian Cardwell single.
Enterprise evened the score with a run in the bottom of the first and then took the lead with two runs in the third.
Troy got back to within one run in the fourth on a Jeff Warrick single scoring Adrian Cardwell.