ALBANY – For the first time, the Troup County National all-stars are going to have to bounce back from a loss.

After cruising to the top spot in the district tournament without a loss, Troup National won its first two games in the Dixie

Youth Baseball 9-10-year-old state tournament in Albany.

Troup National finally met its match on Monday, though.

In a winner’s bracket game, Troup National fell to Lee County 9-2.

Troup National remains alive in the double-elimination tournament, but it will need to win games the next three days to earn a spot in the best-of-three championship series.

“It’ll be interesting to see how our boys respond to their first loss of the tournament,” Troup coach Charles Sweat said. “We are looking forward to getting back in the groove (today) against a talented team from Peachtree Ridge.”

In Monday’s game, Troup National went up 1-0 in the first inning, but Lee County tied it with a run in the second inning before taking charge with five runs in the third.

Lee County’s Aaron Greene entered the game in relief in the second inning, and he pitched five terrific innings to get the win.

“Once they put in Greene, I thought our boys would be in good shape, but he pitched great,” Sweat said. “We had several sharply-hit balls right at their players.”

David Sweat, Cam Gosdin, Seth Prather, Jarred Helton and Cole Freeman each had hits for Troup, with Sweat and Prather scoring the only runs.

Freeman had an RBI.

Parker Kennedy, John Crawford and Joseph Calhoun each pitched for Troup.

Defensively, Troup turned its third double play of the tournament.

While Troup National is now fighting for its tournament life, Troup American improved to 3-0 in the tournament, and Sweat offered his well wishes to that team.

“Our congratulations to Troup American,” Sweat said. “They seem to be peaking at just the right time.”