By KEVIN ECKLEBERRY

Daily News

They’ve got one championship under their belt, and the Troup American 9-10-year-old all-stars will begin chasing another one today.

Troup American, which won the district title last week in Thomaston, will be in Manchester today and Saturday for the pool-play portion of the Dixie Youth Baseball state tournament.

The 12 teams will be divided into three four-team pools, and each of the pool winners and one at-large team will advance to the double-elimination portion of the tournament next weekend.

Troup American reached this point with a hard-earned victory in the district tournament.

After falling to Troup National, Troup American won four consecutive must-win games.

On the tournament’s final day, Troup American beat Thomaston twice to capture the title.

“I sent a text to the parents and let them know how proud I was of the kids,” Troup American head coach Charles Mosley said. “Everybody played a role, which is the sign of a really good team, when you can rely on everybody one through 12.”

At the state tournament, Troup will be in pool three along with Baldwin County, Irwin County and Columbia County.

Pool one is made up of North Macon, Wrens, Jones County and Manchester, and the pool two teams are Swainsboro, Perry Maroon, Thomaston and Seminole County.

Each of those teams will play two games today, and one on Saturday.

Troup will open state play against Baldwin County today at 6 p.m.

On Saturday, Troup will play Irwin County at 9 a.m., and Columbia County at 4 p.m.

The winner of the state tournament will advance to the Dixie Youth Baseball World Series in Lumberton, N.C.