By Kevin Eckleberry

kevin.eckleberry@lagrangenews.com

The Troup County 13-14-year-old all-star team opened play in the Dixie Boys Baseball state tournament with a 6-2 loss to Putnam County on Friday in Eatonton.

Also on Friday, the Troup National 11-12-year-old all-star team thumped West Augusta 14-4 in its first game in the Dixie Youth Baseball state tournament in Roberta.

Troup County’s 13-14-year-old all-star team still has a chance to win a championship in the seven-team, double-elimination tournament.

Troup County will play at 11 a.m. today, and if it wins that game, it will play again at 5 p.m.

The championship will be determined on Sunday.

The Troup National 11-12-year-old all-star team will play twice today.

Troup National plays Seminole County at 1:15 p.m., and Manchester at 8 p.m.

If Troup National finishes first or second in its four-team pool, it will advance to the semifinals next weekend.

Troup National, which won the district tournament with a 4-0 record, put Friday’s game away early with 11 runs in the first two innings.

Trevor Booton and Colton Esposito, who combined for five home runs in the district tournament, both went deep in Friday’s game.

Esposito had a home run in the first inning, and Booton hit went out during a seven-run second inning.

Booton finished with three hits, and Blake Sheppard had two hits.  Lane Christie had a triple in the second inning.

Esposito was the starting and winning pitcher.