By KEVIN ECKLEBERRY

Daily News

It was all about balance for the Troup Tigers.

Troup opened its Region 5-AAAA schedule with a 14-4 win over Chapel Hill on Tuesday, and every member of the lineup had at least one hit.

That included Colby Williams, who had a four-hit day with an RBI, as well as leadoff hitter Ryan Bliss, who helped break it open with a three-run home run in the second inning.

It was Bliss’ third home run of the regular season, and he also hit two over the fence during a preseason game against Heard County.

Bliss, a shortstop who has already signed with Auburn, also walked twice and scored three runs during Monday’s game.

While the home-run totals are up for Bliss, head coach Craig Garner said he’s not swinging for the fences.

“He stays within himself, and tries to find the barrel and not do too much,” Garner said.

While the offense was prolific, senior left-hander Brantly Robinson got it done on the pitcher’s mound.

Robinson threw the five-inning complete game, and he held Chapel Hill to four hits.

With Robinson throwing on Tuesday, Troup aces Colby Williams and Garrett Casey will be available for games against Cedartown on Thursday and LaGrange on Friday.

“That’s big to save some other arms,” Garner said. “We’ve got two other big games this week. For us to be able to finish in five was big.”

Offensively, while Williams and Bliss did their part, everyone else got into the act as well.

Caleb McCurry had two hits and three RBIs, and Cade Garner had two hits and two RBIs.

Cooper Doughman, Casey and Kenly Bridwell each had a hit and an RBI, and Luke Purnell and Colton Webb had one hit apiece.

Chapel Hill struck first with a run in the top of the first inning, and Troup took control with four runs in the bottom of the second.

Bridwell tied it with an RBI double, and with two outs, Bliss launched the ball over the left-field fence for the three-run home run.

Troup added two more runs in the third inning, with Doughman and Garner both coming through with RBI singles.

Troup capped the scoring with eight runs in the bottom of the fourth.

McCurry had two RBI singles in the inning, and Williams also knocked in a run with a hit.

Troup, which has won two consecutive region championships, participated in the Perfect Game High School Showdown last week.

The Tigers went 1-3, but Garner felt it was a valuable experience for his team.

The tournament featured an elite field, with some of the top teams in the Southeast participating.

“You don’t want to lose any of them,” Garner said. “At the same time, to go into region play and to have played all those teams, whether you win a game or not you’re taking something away from the experience, and you feel like it helps prepare you.”

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