Troy advances past Louisiana at World Series

Published 5:07 pm Monday, August 2, 2010

Troy found itself in a must win scenario Monday afternoon in the Junior Dixie World Series.

After defeating Dothan Saturday night, the Alabama state champions took on the South Carolina champs, however, failed to hold on to a late-inning lead.

With the loss, Troy was bounced to the elimination round, where it took on Louisiana Monday afternoon.

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One big inning was all Troy needed to stay alive in the tournament, as it was able to bounce Louisiana, 8-4.

A big part of the victory came from Troy pitcher Chase Hartley, who came in in relief in the fourth inning.

When Hartley took the mound, Louisiana had the bases loaded with no outs and had a 3-2 lead.

Hartley would strike out the side, to end the inning and the threat and that’s when Troy head coach Gary Fox said he believes the game changed.

In the following half-inning, Troy scored four runs off of three hits and two costly Louisiana errors to take a lead, and one it would not give up.

“That was a big momentum sing for us,” Fox said.

“Chase came in and shut them down and then we were able to take advantage of some Louisiana mistakes.

“We weren’t able to capitalize on mistakes (against South Carolina) but we did a great job of that today,” he added.

In the fifth inning, Hunter Baggett, Xavius Burden, Chase Hartley, and Jason Fleming all scored.

Both Baggett and Hartley had doubles, while Reilly Fox, Rush Hixon and Hartley all had RBIs.

Fleming scored on a wild pitch.

“I like what we were able to do, but the big difference in this game was Chase Hartley,” Fox said.

“To come in a situation like he did (with the bases load and no outs) and get us out of the inning was huge. When he did that, it really took the wind out of Louisiana’s sails.”

Hartley pitched four innings, striking out eight while allowing just one run off of three hits.

Jason Fleming started the game, but was taken out in the bottom of the third inning.

Now, Troy will take on Florida at 7 p.m. tonight in yet another elimination game.

Troy finished with 10 hits in the game, has Hartley led the way, finishing 3-4, with two singles, a double and two RBIs.

Fox also had two RBIs in the game, and finished 1-3.

Hixon and Patrick Henderson also contributed with an RBI a piece.