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Troup baseball is in a situation where the margins for a playoff berth are razor thin and the Tigers showed no signs of backing down from a challenge on Friday, beating region foe Fayette County 13-1.

The Tigers jumped out to an early lead when Devon Murphy launched a home run over the left field wall to give Troup a 2-0 lead in the top of the first. It was a big day for Murphy who signed with Coastal Alabama earlier in the day and was a stellar 2-for-4 with four RBIs and two runs scored in the game. 

The Tigers added another run in the top of the second when Ty Medders, who signed to Chattahoochee Valley at the same signing ceremony as Murphy, hit a solo home run of his own to make it 3-0 Tigers. 

In a remarkable piece of fate, those two Tigers were joined in the home run department by fellow signing day senior Josh McDonald — who signed to Andrew College. McDonald sent his solo shot over the left field wall in the top of the third.   

The Tigers added two more runs in the top of the fourth when Reed Morris hit a single to drive in a pair of runners. Fayette County was able to get a run back in the bottom of the fourth but it served as no more than a consolation run. 

The Tigers offense exploded in the top of the fifth for seven runs. Medders hit a sac fly to drive in the first run before Murphy drove in two runs to make it 9-1 Troup. McDonald kept the good vibes rolling and launched his second home run of the game, a grand slam in the fifth. McDonald was a menace at the plate, going 2-for-4 with five RBIs and two runs scored. 

Will Keeter, Jake Perry, Carson Walker, Morris, and Medders all had a hit apiece. 

Demetrius Hardnett pitched the entire five innings, allowing just two hits on six strikeouts with no earned runs. 

Troup is now 13-8 overall and 5-4 in region play. The Tigers will rematch with Fayette County on Saturday at 11 a.m. at Troup High.