It was a tough beginning for the Troy Coach Pitch All-stars State Tournament in Prattville Friday night. They fell in their opening-round game to the District 2 Champions Oxford Black 13-1.

After winning their way through the District Tournament in Enterprise a couple of weeks ago, finishing the regional tournament with a 4-0 record, Troy was hoping to get off to a strong start Friday night to propel themselves into the winner’s bracket of the tournament.

A big challenge for the Coach Pitch All-Stars leading into both the District and State tournaments, was that they had to move players into new roles within the defense. During the District Tournament it was a move that paid off for Troy. Troy Coach Pitch head coach Chris Campbell said most of the switching and moving around had taken place in the outfield, which didn’t hinder the team in the District Tournament.

“The outfield mainly was where our guys were playing new positions,’” Campbell said. “They adapted so well. They kept the ball in front of them, and to back each other up. If there was ever a ball that got behind someone there was someone right there to back it up.”

With the loss to Oxford, Troy will now have to win out the rest of the tournament if they have any hope of winning the State Tournament. In the double-elimination style tournament, Troy is now one defeat away from being sent home.

Troy will have the opportunity to keep playing ball into next week if they win their game tomorrow at 1:30 p.m. against the loser of host-team Prattville and Taylor-Rehobeth.