By KEVIN ECKLEBERRY

Daily News

SWAINSBORO – And then there were four.

The Dixie Youth Baseball 11-12-year-old state tournament began on Friday with eight teams hopeful of winning the championship.

After two days of pool play, that number has been trimmed to four.

One of those surviving teams is Troup National, which went 2-1 in pool play to stay alive.

The remaining four teams will return to Swainsboro on Friday and Saturday, with the state champion qualifying for the Dixie Youth Baseball World Series in Lumberton, N.C.

Troup National kicked things off with a 12-2 victory over Irwin on Friday.

On Saturday, Troup National lost to Wrens 12-2, and that put the team in a must-win situation later in the day against Thomaston.

There was no suspense, with Troup National overwhelming Thomaston 19-0 to finish second in the pool to advance.

In the district tournament, Troup National rolled to the championship with four straight wins.

Troup is 6-1 in the district and state tournaments combined.

OF NOTE: For details from Troup’s three games in pool play, see Tuesday’s sports section.