AUGUSTA – After losing two heart-breakers to Hogansville in the district tournament, the Troup National all-star team left nothing to chance on Friday.

In the final four of the Dixie Youth Baseball 11-12-year-old state tournament, Troup National rolled to a 13-1 victory over Hogansville, taking a big step toward a state championship.

There is still work to be done, though, since it is a double-elimination format.

Troup National will return to the field at 11 a.m. today to play Albany, which thumped Norcross 16-0 on Friday.

If Troup National wins that game, it would play for a state championship on Sunday at 1 p.m.

If Troup National loses to Albany today, it would play later in the day at 5 p.m. in an elimination game.

Hogansville, meanwhile, bounced back later on Friday to beat Norcross 18-3 to keep its title hopes alive.

Hogansville returns to the field at 5 p.m. today to play either Troup National or Albany.

In Friday’s early game, Troup National used the long ball to take care of Hogansville.

Caleb Deavers, who had two home runs and seven RBIs in an 11-3 win over Wrens last weekend, kept it going on Friday with a three-run home run.

Kade Rogers added a two-run home run, and Dawson Wright hit a three-run home run that gave Troup National the win via the run rule.

The last team standing on Sunday will advance to the Dixie Youth Baseball World Series in Lexington, S.C.

Reach Kevin Eckleberry at (706) 884-7311 or on Twitter @lagrangesports