Troy built a four-run lead, watched it disappear, then used a seven-run fifth inning to pull away from South Carolina, 13-10, in their Dixie O-Zone World Series opener in Cleveland, Miss., on Saturday.

It took a couple of innings before either team could get the bats going but when they did it was electric.

Troy’s Carson Tucker doubled home Reed Jinright in the third to Troy on the board. Tucker and Wood Jinright, who reached on a single, each scored on wild pitches in the inning. Hunter Reeves singles and later scored on Garrett Tucker’s base hit to put Troy up 4-0.

Midland, South Carolina’s state champion, would charge ahead in the bottom half of the inning with seven runs including four on a pair of two-run homeruns.

Troy would chip away with a run in the fourth but another South Carolina homer and a RBI double negated Troy’s effort leaving them behind 9-5.

Troy came up with some offensive firepower of its own in the fifth. RBI singles from Hunter Reeves, Cole Little and Brian Redmon helped Troy to a seven-run inning and a 12-9 lead. The teams would trade runs in the sixth and Troy would hold on to the 13-10 victory.

Troy pounded out 15 hits but were hurt by the five runs South Carolina scored on the three home runs.

Little earned the win on the mound pitching the final two innings allowing just a single run.

For Troy, Carson Tucker led the way at the plate going 3-for-3. Reed Jinright, Wood Jinright, Reeves, Little and Redmon all finished with two hits each. Spencer Floyd, Graham Wilkes and Garrett Tucker also had a hit each.

Troy will play at 6 p.m. on Sunday against Kilgore, Tex.