Vidalia Black Captures 10U Boys Crown
The Lyons Recreation Department wrapped up the Annual Lyons Youth Tournament last week, running from May 27 through June 3. When the dust settled on the 10U Boys bracket, Vidalia Black cruised to a definitive Tournament Championship. The Vidalia Recreation Department (VRD) also saw a strong showing from Vidalia Maroon, who took home fourth place, while the hometown Lyons Red and Navy teams tied for seventh.
VRD Maroon vs. Evans
Vidalia Maroon kicked off the action with a tightly contested opener against Evans County. After the teams traded runs in the early innings, Evans pushed ahead before Vidalia rallied to tie it at 4-4 in the bottom of the sixth, sending the game to extra innings. VRD plated a clutch run in the top of the seventh to take a 5-4 lead, and the defense held firm in the bottom half of the frame to secure the hard-fought victory.
Lyons
It was a tougher start for the hometown squads in their respective openers. Lyons Navy dropped their first game 12-1 against Emanuel County, while Lyons Red fell to Candler County 6-1.
VRD Black vs. Bulloch
Meanwhile, Vidalia Black opened their dominant campaign against Bulloch County. Bulloch struck first with a run in the second inning, but Vidalia answered aggressively, plating six runs in the bottom half of the frame. Adding insurance runs in the third and fourth, VRD built an 8-1 lead and held on over the final two innings to cruise to their first win.
VRD Maroon vs. Emanuel Up next for VRD Maroon was a tough Emanuel County squad. Vidalia took continued from page
an early 2-0 lead in the first, but Emanuel steadily battled back, eventually tying the game at 4-4 in the third inning. Emanuel broke things wide open in the fifth, pushing across five runs. Despite a late run in the sixth, Maroon fell 9- 5.
VRD Black vs. Candler
Vidalia Black returned to the diamond to face Candler County and quickly asserted control. VRD jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the second inning. Candler managed to trim the deficit to 5-2 in the fourth, but Vidalia pulled away with a fiverun surge in the top of the sixth to lock down a 10-2 victory.
VRD Black vs. Emanuel That win sent Vidalia Black into the winners' bracket semifinals for a showdown with Emanuel County. VRD took care of business early, plating two runs in the first inning. Emanuel hung around, eventually tying the game at 3-3 in the top of the fifth.
However, Vidalia responded with a massive seven-run rally in the bottom of the fifth to take a commanding 10-3 lead, holding on in the sixth to punch their ticket to the Championship Game.
Lyons
Down in the losers' bracket, the Lyons teams fought to stay alive. Lyons Red earned a solid 6-4 win over Jenkins County, and Lyons Navy advanced on a forfeit win over Montgomery County. Unfortunately, both runs ended in the next round. Lyons Red fell to Glennville 8-3, and Lyons Navy dropped their contest to Evans County by the identical 8-3 margin.
VRD Maroon vs. Glennville Fighting through the elimination bracket, Vidalia Maroon took on Glennville and orchestrated a thrilling comeback. Glennville controlled the early innings, extending their lead to 4-1 by the bottom of the fifth. With their backs against the wall, the Vidalia boys rallied for four runs in the top of the sixth to steal a 5-4 lead. VRD slammed the door in the bottom of the sixth to stay alive.
VRD Maroon vs. Evans That gritty win advanced Vidalia Maroon to a rematch with Evans County. Evans set the tone early, plating runs in the first and second innings to take a 2-0 lead. Vidalia cut it to 2-1 in the bottom of the second, but Evans steadily added a run in the fourth and another in the sixth to hand Maroon a 4-1 loss, ending an impressive fourth-place tournament run for the Vidalia squad.
VRD Black vs. Emanuel Championship In the Championship Game, Vidalia Black squared off against Emanuel County once more for the title. Emanuel was the first on the board with a run in the top of the first, but VRD immediately answered with two runs in the bottom of the frame to take a 2-1 lead.
Vidalia tacked on another run in the second to push the margin to 3-1. In the fifth inning, VRD plated three crucial insurance runs, securing a 6-1 lead. The defense held strong in the top of the sixth to seal the victory and claim the 10U Tournament Championship.
