Indians Over Social Circle; Into Elite 8

The Vidalia High School Indians baseball team took on the Redskins of Social Circle in the GHSA State Playoffs Sweet 16 last week. VHS played the Redskins in a best-of-three series for the chance to move into the Elite 8. They played a double header on Thursday of last week to kick things off. The Indians took the first game in extra innings and then got a stellar performance from Veer Patel on the mound in the second game as he threw a no-hitter to sweep Social Circle.

Game 1

In the first game of the series, VHS took the early lead in the top of the second inning. The first VHS run came across on a fielder’s choice by Eion Ryals. VHS added another run on a ball hit by Cayden Nance to take a 2-0 lead. VHS extended their lead in the third inning on a sacrifice fly by Ryan Brantley. That put the Indians on top 3-0.

But Social Circle came storming back in the bottom of the fourth inning as they plated three runs to tie the game at 3-3.

The score remained that way through regulation as the game went to extra innings tied at 3-3. Then in the top of the eighth inning, the Indians scored three runs, two of which came off an RBI hit by Brantley. Clay Mimbs drove in the other run in the inning to put VHS up 6-3.

Jackson Berry got the win on the mound as he went all eight innings for VHS. Patel also added three hits for VHS in the game.

Game 2

The story of the second game was the pitching from Patel. He threw a seven inning no hitter, walking just two batters, and striking out 10.

All of the scoring in the game was done in the first inning. Patel helped his cause as he doubled in a Ryals to put VHS on top, 1-0. Berry added to that with a solid single to center field that scored Patel. That 2-0 lead was all that the Indians needed as Patel took over from there.

Social Circle also had a good showing as they didn’t give up another run after the first inning, but the damage had been done as the Indians took the win, 2-0.

The win by Vidalia moves them into the Elite 8, where they will face off with cross-county rival, Toombs County. The games will be held in Lyons. They will kick off with a double header on Wednesday, with the first game at 4:30 p.m. If necessary, they will play a third game on Thursday at 6:00 p.m.

The winner of that series will move on to play the winner of the Godon Lee vs. Washington County series. The Final 4 will begin on May 13.