From staff reports

The 9-10 Troup National all-stars won’t mind playing a double-header today at the Dixie Youth Baseball World Series in Laurel, Miss.

With a 16-1 victory over Mississippi Wednesday, Troup will play the same team again today at 10 a.m. for the right to play Alabama at 6 p.m. today for the championship.

Dylan Johnson got the complete-game victory, and Jake Farrar hit a home run for the third straight game, although his streak of hitting grand slams ended at two games.

Troup, Mississippi and Alabama each have one loss in the tournament, and Alabama drew the bye after ousting Florida from the tournament Wednesday.

Troup lost to Mississippi in the first round of the tournament last Saturday, but head coach Jay Anderson knew his team was nervous in the 7-0 loss.

“We hadn’t played in two weeks at that point,” Anderson said. “We’ve played better every day since we’ve been here. We’re hitting better and better.”

While Troup will be facing the same pitcher who defeated the team in the opening round, Anderson is confident in his batters, and he should be.

Troup was nearly unstoppable at the plate Wednesday, scoring all 16 runs on 11 hits in three innings.

Farrar, who hit a Dixie Youth Baseball-record two grand slams in two straight games on Monday and Tuesday, hit another homer, this time a three-run shot that put Troup ahead 8-0 in the second inning.

Other Troup players were able to find pitches, too.

Champ Willis had four RBIs, including two-run hits in the first and third innings. Willis also scored on a wild pitch to conclude Troup’s scoring in the third.

Matthew Anderson also had four RBIs on two-run singles in the second and third innings.

Noah Hammett had two RBIs and Ben Anderson had one RBI.

It was another offensive spectacle from a team that has lost just one game all summer.

“We’re pounding the ball right now,” Anderson said.

Johnson pitched all four innings and played “great,” according to Anderson.

He allowed just two hits and struck out seven batters.

The third game against Mississippi will be a chance for the teams to ultimately decide who is better.

For Mississippi, a win is expected.

“We’re coming here to win two (today),” said Mississippi coach Jon Thornton. “I could tell we were ready (Wednesday) but we just kind of got caught up in everything.”

In 2008, Troup lost to the Mississippi state champs in the World Series championship game, and Anderson’s team is ready to make amends.

“I think we’ll be fine,” Anderson said. “We’re excited.”