Staff report

Troy's bid to win the Dixie Youth State Tournament fell short Thursday morning in Duncanville.

Troy's offense, potent for the first three games of the tournament, could not get going Thursday as Prattville avenged a first-round loss to Troy with a 4-0 victory. Troy finished tied for second place with the loser of the game between Prattville and Hartselle.

Troy's offense was not nonexistent, just inconsistent. Troy managed to get eight hits in six innings in the game, but Troy could never get the important hit when it was necessary. Troy left the bases loaded in the second inning and stranded six runners during the course of the game.

Troy was led at the plate by Ethan Harris and Wesley Hayes. The duo recorded two hits apiece for the Dixie Youth Nationals. William Teal, Bradley Floyd, Trey Walters and Ross Hixon also added hits for Troy in the game.

Prattville scored its first run in the first inning to take a 1-0 lead. Prattville added one more in the second to take a 2-0 lead, and they finished the scoring in the fourth inning with a two-run effort to increase the lead to 4-0.

Troy used two pitchers in the final day of the tournament. Will Starling started the game and pitched three innings. Jake Smith finished the game, pitching the final three innings for Troy.

Troy's final record for the tournament was 3-2. Troy's record ties for the best finish ever for a Troy team in a Dixie Youth State Tournament. Also, the tie for second is the highest finish a Troy team has finished in the Dixie Youth State Tournament since 1978, when Troy also finished second.