Bears Take Two From Indians

The Vidalia High School Indians baseball team took on Pierce County's Bears last week. They got only two games in of the three-game series due to weather on Monday and Tuesday, and the Indians were defeated in both contests.

Game 1

The Vidalia Indians finally got to play Game 1 of their region series with the Pierce County Bears on Wednesday night March 28 after two consecutive rain outs. The Bears took the game by a 5-2 score leaving the Indians with a 11-8-1 record and 5-2 region record. The Indians garnered only three hits and Bears had only four. However, the Bears got three of their hits in the same inning along with a couple of walks to make the difference. The two teams meet again Thursday night in Vidalia for Game 2 with Game 3 rescheduled for April 20 in Pierce County.

Walker Moncus got the start on the mound pitching six innings and taking the loss. He gave up five runs on four hits, three walks and getting one strike out. Offense was lacking for the Indians as they got only three hits on the night. Carson Ricks, Kaleb Bennett and Morgan Moye picked up one hit each. Ricks picked up an RBI single and Moye had an RBI double.

Neither team scored until the 2nd inning. In the top half Veer Patel led off the inning reaching on an error and then was moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Moye. After the second out was made, Ricks got a two out single to plate Patel. When Cason Banks got hit by a pitch the bases were loaded with two outs. A hard line drive to the left fielder ended the at bat with the Indians up 1-0. In the bottom half the Bears got a lead off double with the runner moving to third on a fielders choice and scoring on a ground ball out to make it 1-1 after two complete.

In the bottom of the 3rd inning the Bears bunched three hits with two walks to score four more runs and take a 5-1 lead after three complete innings.

The Indians got a lead off single from Bennett in the top of the 6th inning. He then stole second and moved to third on a wild pitch with no outs. The next two batters struck out, but Moye hit a double over the left fielder's head to get Bennett in and make it a 5-2 game. The Bears failed to score in the bottom half but got the Indians 1-2-3 in the top of the 7th inning to end the game with the 5-2 victory.

Game 2

The Pierce County Bears came to Greg James Field to face the Indians in Game 2 of their region series. The Bears won by a score of 8-6. The third game of the series will be played on Thursday, April 20, in Pierce County. The loss puts the Indians at 11-9-1 on the season and 5-3 in region play. The Indians are scheduled to play a three game region series with Toombs County next week.

Dawson Stewart started on the mound for the Indians going five innings. He allowed five runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out four batters. Carson Ricks came on in relief to start the 6th inning getting two outs and being charged with three runs. Veer Patel came on to get the final out in the 6th inning and pitched a scoreless 7th inning.

Walker Moncus led the Indians at the plate picking up a single and double. Lowe, Patel, Moye and Norfleet had single RBI's while Whited had two RBI's.

The Bears struck for one run in the top of the 1st inning with a single, walk, wild pitch and a couple of ground outs. When the Indians failed to answer in the bottom half, the Bears were on top 1-0 after one complete.

The Bears used a walk and three singles to score two more runs in the top of the 2nd inning to take a 3-0 lead. Lawson Lowe led off the bottom half with a single. After two outs were made, Morgan Moye doubled to the right field corner scoring Lowe. Andrew Norfleet was hit by a pitch, and Conner Whited followed with a two run double over the left fielders head to tie the game at 3-3 after two complete.

In the bottom of the 3rd inning the Indians looked in good shape to take the lead as they loaded the bases with no outs. After a strike out, Ricks hit a little blooper out behind the pitchers mound with three Bears diving to try and make the catch. When they couldn't come up with the ball, everyone had to run and looked to be safe with a run scoring. The Bears' coach appealed to the home plate umpire and got him to rule an infield fly and then say that the ball had been caught and therefore the runner was forced out at second ending the inning with no runs.

In the top of the 5th inning the Bears took advantage of a two out error by following it with two doubles to plate two more runs and jump back in front by a 5-3 score. In the top of the 6th inning the Bears took advantage of two hit batters, a wild pitch and two singles to score three more times pushing their lead to 9-3. In the bottom of the 6th inning Moye reached on a two out error and scored when Norfleet got a double down the right field line. That made it a 9-4 game going to the 7th inning.

In the bottom of the 7th inning, Banks drew a one out walk and Moncus followed with a double down the left field line. A ground ball out by Lowe plated Banks and a two out single by Patel scored Moncus. A ground ball out ended the come back bid, leaving the Bears on top by a 8-6 score for the win.

VHS is now 11-9-1 on the year and they are 5-3 in Region play. This week the Indians will take on rival Toombs County for a three-game Region series. They played the first game on Tuesday after presstime, and will be back in action on Wednesday in Lyons at 5:45 p.m. an then on Thursday in Vidalia at 5:45 p.m.