Sports Editor

Haleyville scored the tiebreaking run in the top of the eighth inning to down the Troy Nationals 2-1 in the first round of the Dixie Minor State Tournament in Thomasville.

Will Starling pitched the Nationals out of several jams in the game, giving up one run and striking out eight in seven innings pitched. Ross Hixon came in to pitch the final inning, giving up two singles and a walk as Haleyville loaded the bases and were able to sneak the go-ahead run home. Hixon struck out the side before any more damage was done and Lloyd Shillabeer gave the Nationals’ some hope with a single in the bottom of the eighth.

Troy, however, went down in order to end the game.

The game was originally scheduled to be played at 6 p.m. on Monday night, but heavy rain caused the cancellation until Tuesday. Troy will move into the loser’s bracket and play next at 6 p.m. tonight against a yet-to-be determined opponent.

Troy took a 1-0 lead in the first inning. With two outs, Starling knocked a double and came home on Sam Carroll’s follow-up double to the wall. The Nationals held that lead until the fifth inning, when Haleyville came back to tie it up at 1-1.

Troy had two chances to break away and pull back on top in the game. Chase Connell kept Haleyville off the bases in the top of the seventh, with stop at first base to prevent a basehit. Prior to Haleyville’s game-winning run in the eighth, Troy’s Daniel Floyd reached with a single in the seventh, advanced to second on a wild pitch and to third on a ground out by Starling. Carroll followed with another infield hit, but the ball was fielded and Floyd was caught going for home plate.

In the fourth, Hixon and Floyd combined for two straight singles and both runners advanced into scoring position on a wild pitch. A pop out and strike out followed. Haleyville issued a walk to load the bases, but the last Troy batter grounded into a fielder’s choice for the final out of the inning.

Floyd had two hits to lead the Troy batters. Hixon, Starling, Carroll and Shillabeer each had hits also.