By Kevin Eckleberry

kevin.eckleberry@lagrangenews.com

LAGRANGE – The field is set.

After winning the district tournament, the Troup American 9-10-year-old all-stars will look to vanquish a new set of teams when they participate in the Dixie Youth Baseball state tournament this weekend in Putnam County.

There will be 12 teams competing, and they’ll be vying for four spots in the semifinals the following weekend.

The state winner will advance to the Dixie Youth Baseball World Series in August.

Troup American will be in a pool along with Putnam County, Baconton and Columbia County.

Thomaston, which finished second to Troup American in the district tournament, will be in a pool with Perry, Swainsboro and Baldwin County.

The other pool consists of Wrens, Crawford County and Jones County.

The three pool winners will advance to the four-team, double-elimination tournament that begins on July 14.

Teams that finish with one loss but don’t win their pool will play on Sunday to determine the other spot in the final four.

Troup American will open state play at 7:50 p.m. on Friday against Columbia County.

Troup American will play two more games on Saturday.

First up will be a game against Putnam County at 9 a.m., and it will play Baconton at 4 p.m.

Troup American went 5-0 in the district tournament to advance to state.