Troup Nationals 12u All-Star team wins opening two games of Dixie Youth Tournament

Published 11:42 pm Thursday, July 13, 2023

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GAME ONE:

TROUP COUNTY – !4

MORGAN COUNTY – 4

 

The Troup County 12u team started off the Dixie Youth Tournament in Morgan County on Thursday, beating the hosts 14-4. 

Despite falling into an early hole, trailing 2-0 after one inning, the Troup Nationals never wavered and promptly took complete command of the game with six runs in the second inning. Roswell Swanson grounded out to drive in the first run of the game before Connor Arrington hit a one-run single to tie the game with two outs. An error and a single from Tae Pope drove in two more runs as the Nationals took a 6-2 lead. 

The offense kept rolling in the third inning as the Nationals took a commanding 12-2 lead with a dominant inning from the plate. An error allowed the first two runs to score and the Nationals were off from there. Cameron Poe hit a one-run single and Swanson doubled to drive in the second and third run of the inning. Swanson made his way home on a passed ball later in the inning. 

The Nationals tacked on an additional run in each of the fourth and fifth innings with Pope scoring on a passed ball in the former with Liam Turner hitting a one-run single in the latter.

Morgan County scored two runs in the bottom of the fourth, but were never able to get back into the game.

Pope and Turner led the way on offense with three runs apiece while Arrington, Swanson, Poe, Ezra Cook and Wyatt Martin all had one hit each. 

Turner also got the start on the mound and went three innings for the Nationals, allowing just five hits on five strikeouts. Ben Brown came in to pitch the final two innings and was excellent, allowing just two hits on four strikeouts. 

 

GAME TWO:

TROUP COUNTY – 12

WASHINGTON COUNTY – 2

 

The Troup Nationals had to come back from an early deficit once again in game two before taking complete command of the game. 

After going behind by one run after the opening half inning of play, the Nationals quickly took the lead with two runs in the bottom of the first. A Martin one-run double tied the game before Cook scored on a passed ball to give Troup its first lead of the game. 

Washington was able to tie the game with a run in the top of the third, but Troup once again rallied to retake the lead with two runs in the bottom of the third. Hunter J scored on a balk from the pitcher followed by a fly out by Pope that drove in a run. 

The offense kept chugging for the Nationals with Poe driving in a run on a ground out and Brown scoring on a passed ball.

Troup was able to put the game away in the fifth inning, which proved to be the final inning, as the Nationals scored six runs to force the mercy rule.

Tuner, Pope, Martin, Cook, Poe and Bryson Pike all had a hit in the game. Peyton Spears scored three runs in the game to help the offense stay ticking. 

Martin got the start and the mound and dominated in two innings, allowing just two hits on six strikeouts. Spears pitched the final three innings and picked up right where Martin left off, not allowing a single hit and striking out two batters. 

 

WHAT’S NEXT: 

The Troup Nationals will play on Friday at 5 p.m. against Perry.