It took 10 innings, but the Troy American Legion Post 70 Trojans defeated the Wiregrass Cardinals 6-5 Wednesday night in a comeback effort at Riddle-Pace Field.

The Trojans trailed 5-3 heading into the bottom of the eighth inning, but took advantage of mistakes by the Cardinals.

Wiregrass committed three errors, walked four and allowed three passed balls in the final three innings, allowing Troy to score three runs on just two hits.

The Trojans tied the game in the bottom of the ninth without getting a hit, as Quay Lawson reached base when the Cardinals’ second baseman lost Lawson’s popup in the lights.

Lawson then took second on a passed ball and stole third. The throw to third was too high to handle, enabling Lawson to score without a throw.

Post 70 head coach Bradley Futch said Wiregrass opened the door for the Trojans.

“They dropped the pop fly in the ninth that gave us a chance,” Futch said. “Then, there was the wild pitch and we had to steal third trying to give ourselves a chance. We kind of caught a break and scored and did a good job in the tenth to win it.”

K.D. Edenfield led off the 10th inning with a single and stole second.

Chance Shaver then hit a fly ball to center, but an error allowed him to reach base, setting the Trojans up with runners on second and third with nobody out.

After Nathan Barron grounded out and Mitch McLeod was intentionally walked, Chase Connell drove in the winning run with a sacrifice fly to right field.

“Guys did what they were supposed to do,” Futch said. “Pitching gave us a good chance and kept us in the game when we were down. But, it was a good game overall. It was a good comeback.”

Lawson pitched a scoreless seventh inning before giving way to McLeod, who pitched the final three innings to pick up the win.

McLeod gave up one hit and struck out three, while Lawson struck out two and did not allow a hit.

Despite the dramatic victory and solid effort on the mound, Futch said his team has room for improvement.

“Defense is a big key area for us,” Futch said. “We’ve made entirely too many errors. Our pitching’s been great, but we do have some of the little stuff that we have to work on.”

Following the win over the Cardinals, Post 70 will now turn its attention to a tournament in Tuscaloosa this weekend, where the Trojans will play four games.