DUNCANVILLE - The Troy Dixie Youth League National Tournament team improved to 2-0 with a 9-6 victory over Rainsville Sunday in the state tournament at Duncanville.

Troy jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning when Will Starling reached on a error, Douglas Hawkins reached on an infield single, William Teal doubled and Bradley Floyd singled.

Troy went ahead 3-0 in the top of the second as Logan Steward singled, Trey Walters singled, Chase Connell walked, and Ross Hixon drove in the run with a fielder's choice.

Rainsville appeared to threaten in the bottom of the first inning when starting pitcher Jake Smith walked the first batter, hit the second batter but then struck out the next six consecutive batters over the next two innings.

Troy widened its lead to 9-0 in the third inning as Hawkins singled, Teal reached on a fielder's choice, Smith reached on an infield error, Bradley Floyd reached on an infield hit, Ethan Harris reached on a infield error; Dario Rouse bounced one off the fence to drive in a run, and Wesley Hayes hit a three-run homer for the 9-0 lead.

Rainsville rallied for four runs in the third inning off of a two-out grand slam home run and added another run in the fourth run to cut the score to 9-5.

Teal pitched the third and fourth innings and Rouse pitched the fifth and sixth innings, allowing one run in the sixth. Smith pitched the first two innings. He walked one, struck out six and allowed no hits

Troy was led at the plate by Logan Stewart, who went 3-for-3. Hawkins and Floyd each had two hits. Teal, Rouse, Hayes, Walters and Connell had one hit each;

Troy plays today at 8 p.m. against the winner of Monday's night's Auburn vs. Duncanville/Moundville - both are undefeated.

The tourney is expected to conclude Thursday night.