Indians In Driver’s Seat

The Indians softball team of Vidalia High School played five games last week, losing two at the Grayson tournament to larger schools. VHS added wins over Toombs, Jeff Davis and North Gwinnett. The wins improve their record to 17-5 on the season, and they are 9-1 in Region play and still ranked as the #1 team in the State in AA. vs. Toombs

Vidalia took the early lead against rival Toombs as they plated a run in the top of the first inning. Toombs did put two runners on base in the second inning, but VHS and pitcher Madison Starr got out of the jam.

In the top of the third inning the Indians added to their lead. Starr led off with a double. And Tori Wright put runners at the corners with a hit. Emma Humphrey walked to load the bases with just one out for VHS. Rileigh Robinson drove in a run and Alli Taufmann hit a run in for a 3-0 lead. Jesslyn Collins followed that with a single that put VHS up 5-0.

VHS added a run in the top of the fifth inning to take a 6-0 lead over the Bulldogs. VHS held on to win the game by that score. vs. JD

On Thursday the Indians were at Jeff Davis for a matchup of the #1 and #2 teams in the state in AA. The game was a pitching duel with Bailey Holland in the circle for VHS and Kelsey Parlor throwing for JD.

Wright led off with a walk in the top of the first inning with Logan Menard coming in to run for the VHS catcher. Menard moved to second on a passed ball, but a strike out and a ground out sent the game to the bottom of the inning 0-0.

VHS had more runners in the top of the second inning, but again Jeff Davis didn't allow a big hit or an Indian run.

In the top of the third inning Wright hit a double to get things going, and Holland hit a shot into right field to put runners at the corners. But again Jeff Davis got out of the inning without allowing a run.

Robinson had a base hit in the fourth and took second on a wild pitch. But again two strike outs and a line out kept VHS off the scoreboard. In the botttom of the fourth inning an error allowed JD to get their first baserunner of the game, but Holland and the defense did a good job keeping them scoreless.

Wright hit a shot to the fence in the top of the fifth inning that went off the center fielder's glove. Wright was running hard the whole way and went all the way to third on the play. Holland came then came trough with a two-out stand up double to right field to give the Indians a 1-0 lead.

That was all they needed with Holland throwing a great game in the circle. VHS held in the fifth and sixth innings, giving the Indians a chance to hold on to win in the seventh inning. Holland got their first base hit of the game in the seventh, but a strikeout, a ground out, and another strike out ended the game with VHS winning 1-0 over JD.

Holland had 13 strike outs in the game for the Indians as she threw a one-hit shutout. That put VHS in the driver's seat in Region 2AA. continued from page

Grayson Tournament

On Friday VHS lost a close game to River Ridge, 9-8. River Ridge is ranked #7 in 6A. Vidalia then came through with a 2-0 win over North Gwinnett on Saturday. North Gwinnett is the #2 ranked team in 7A. Vidalia wrapped up their trip to Loganville with a loss to Walnut Grove, 8-1, who are the #2 ranked team in 5A.

vs. W. Laurens

VHS faced off with West Laurens at home on Monday of this week and ended the game in dramatic fashion.

Vidalia led the game 1-0 after the fourth inning and added a run in the bottom of the fifth to lead 2-0. West Laurens came back with two runs in the top of the seventh inning to tie the game at 2-2. In the bottom of that final inning Starr came to the plate and hit a walk-off solo home run over the center field fence to give VHS the 3-2 win over the #6 ranked team in 4A. Holland gave up just three hits in the game and stuck out eight batters.

This week the Indians faced off with East Laurens on Tuesday after presstime. On Wednesday they will play Swainsboro on the road at 6:00 p.m. and will be at Bacon County on Thursday at 5:30 p.m.

Bailey Holland started the game for the Indians against rival Toombs County last week in Lyons.Photo by Mike Branch