The Troy AAA Rookies carried their winning momentum into the state championship, beating Decatur Nationals 13-11 in their opening game of the tournament on Thursday.

Troy was able to get an early lead in the first inning when Tre’Von Brown hit a two-run double to put the Rookies on the board..

Troy was able to extend that lead all the way to 9-2 heading into the fifth inning.

Marin Davenport started the game for the Rookies and pitched a good three innings for Troy before being pulled in the fifth inning.

Davenport only gave up two runs in his three innings of work while also striking out seven National batters.

“He pitched a wonderful three innings,” Rookie head coach Chris Goshea said. “I took the ball out of his hand with comfortable 9-2 lead.”

In the middle innings the Rookies let up a few key runs allowing Decatur to get back into the game.

“We weren’t consistent with our pitching,” Goshea said. “It came back and bit us in the middle innings. They tied the game at 10 in the fifth.”

After Decatur had their way in the middle innings and closed the gap, the Rookies received a big hit by Slade Renfroe who tripled scoring two runs and putting the Rookies up 13-10.

The Nationals drove in one more run but the Rookies were able to hold on to the two-run victory.

“They competed tonight, even when they felt like things weren’t going their way,” Goshea said. “They continued to compete and they listed and followed directions. I had several coaches come tell me that they wished their team had the same structure as our team.”

Brown led the way for the Rookies Thursday night by going 3-3 at the plate with two runs batted in.

Houston Gunter, and Mario Davenport also finished well at the plate going 2-3.

Renfroe finished the game for the Rookies going 2-3 which included the game winning triple, putting the game out of reach.

With the win Troy advances into the winners bracket and will face AUM East at 8 p.m. today in Oxford.