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Gordon Lee loaded the bases, and a Vidalia hitby- pitch forced in the winning run for a 3-2 Trojans victory.

Game 2

Facing elimination in Game 2, Vidalia went on a tear, rolling to a dominant 10-0 run-rule victory in five innings to keep their season alive. The offense jumped out early once again, scoring two in the first inning on a fielder's choice from Mimbs and an RBI single by Eli Cleghorn.

The Indians then blew the game wide open in the bottom of the third, erupting for eight runs. Following a bases-loaded walk by Jake McCaw, Eion Ryals ripped a tworun double. Two costly Trojan errors and another bases-loaded walk to Mimbs kept the line moving, and Cleghorn capped the surge with another RBI single to make it 100.

On the mound, Banks Hopkins handled the rest, picking up the win by tossing a complete fiveinning shutout. He allowed just three hits and struck out six to force Saturday's winner- take- all Game 3.

Game 3

In the Saturday finale, Vidalia grabbed the early momentum but could not find the offense needed to secure the championship. Senior Caden Nance, playing through an injury, gutted out an RBI double in the top of the first inning to give the Indians a 1-0 lead. Unfortunately, that would stand as Vidalia's only hit of the contest.

The Gordon Lee pitching staff shut down the Indians' lineup over the final six innings, while their offense finally broke through in the bottom of the fourth. An RBI triple followed by an RBI single gave the Trojans a 3-1 advantage. Vidalia continued to battle, but the bats remained quiet as Gordon Lee held on to take the win and the state title.

While the season ended one win shy of the ultimate goal, it was an impressive campaign for the Indians. Vidalia will graduate six seniors who were instrumental in back-to-back deep playoff runs, but they return a solid core of talent that will be hungry to make another run at the championship next spring.