The Troy AAA Rookies tournament team was seeking to get their state tournament off to a good start. They did just that with a 27-0 win over Eclectic on Friday afternoon in Enterprise.

The win for Troy sends them into the winner’s bracket where they will take on the winner of Gordo and Montgomery American on Saturday.

“It was extremely important (getting off to a good start),” said head coach Rick Gill. “The kids stepped up.”

Troy sent a total of three pitchers the mound in the opening game of the tournament. Pierce Gill, Dutch Adams and Grant Davis all picked up three strikeouts a piece in their outing.

“They did a great job pitching, but the best part is they are all nine year-olds, younger players,” Gill said. “They really stepped up.”

At the plate each player, one through 12 in the lineup, all had a hit in Troy’s win.

“Once the beginning of the lineup got a hit, the next guy got a hit and then the next guy got a hit,” Gill said. “Once we got on base we were able steal. Four of our kids got on bunting. We were able to mix things up between getting base hits and doubles and bunting. We put the defense on their heels because they didn’t know what to expect.”

After coming up short at state in years past, Gill hopes a game one win will give his team plenty of momentum heading into Saturday.

“With all the things that we have had happen over the last three years, this is the same group of boys,” Gill said. “I think this is an unbelievable amount of momentum. We have to stay grounded. We are still going to get there an hour and half early and hit the batting cages.”

Troy will be back in action beginning at 11 a.m. on Saturday.

“We are visitors again,” Gill said. “We need to come out strong hitting, but more than that, have good and consistent pitching. We have a good defense and when the pitchers are throwing strikes it allows our defense to make plays.”