Sports Editor

The Troy Dixie Boys 13-year-old tournament team used a five-run third inning and a seven-run explosion in the sixth inning to dispose of the Dothan All-Stars, 15-5 Saturday during Sub-District action at the Troy Sportsplex.

Coming off a 1-0 loss to Enterprise Friday, the Troy 13’s turned to pitcher Judson Ricks Saturday. Ricks responded, tossing four-and-a-third innings, allowing three hits while fanning five and walking two.

The Troy offense, which had been non-existent the night before, responded as well, blowing open a scoreless game with 15 runs in the final four frames. Marquez Toney led the offensive attack with three hits, three runs and three stolen bases. Chase Bradley also had three hits and three RBI’s.

"You would think after a loss like last night that the kids would be a little disappointed, a little down on it, but they were really pumped up today," Troy head coach Frank Hayden said. "They came out very focused and very motivated."

"The bats came alive tonight, everybody contributed quite a bit," Hayden continued. "The pitching was good again and the defense, except for the late inning, did a good job."

The game had the makings of another pitchers’ duel as Dothan starting pitcher Adam Fuller matched Ricks’s performance for the first two innings before Troy finally broke through in the third.

Brent Kohn started the inning by reaching on an error and Toney followed with a single. After a groundout, Christopher Griggs broke the scoreless tie with an RBI single and Toney would cross the plate following a balk by Fuller. Fuller plunked Ryan Hayden in the ensuing at-bat, prompting a pitching change.

Chris Davis greeted new pitcher Jordan Hand with an RBI single and a walk to Patrick McClure loaded the bases with one out. Hayden was thrown out at the plate after Ricks grounded into a fielder’s choice and Clay Helms prolonged the inning by driving home two runners with a single for a 5-0 advantage.

Bradley knocked in runs in the fourth and fifth with doubles and Toney added an RBI single in fifth for an 8-0 lead.

Troy poured it on in the sixth, sending 12 batters to the plate during the inning. Christopher Ward, Cooper Nichols, Mitch Green, Bradley and Davis all delivered hits during the inning as Troy took a commanding 15-0 advantage.

With the win, Troy stays alive in the double-elimination tournament and with another performance like this one, Hayden thinks his team can get to the championship game on Tuesday.

"The pitchers’ have to throw strikes, the defense has to take care of business and if we can get a little contribution from the offense every now and then, we will be fine."