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3-1 lead. However, unforced errors ultimately cost Lyons, as Vidalia immediately answered with three runs in the bottom of the fifth to reclaim a 4-3 advantage. The VRD defense held steady the rest of the way to secure the hard-fought win and eliminate the host team.
VRD vs. Emanuel Championship Game 1 That victory propelled Vidalia into the Championship round for a rematch with Emanuel County. Needing backto- back wins to take the title, VRD capitalized on a shaky Emanuel defense that committed six errors. Emanuel initially took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the second, and after Vidalia picked up a run in the top of the third, Emanuel responded with two more in the bottom half to make it 4-1.
Vidalia refused to fold, cutting the deficit with a run in the fourth before a crucial threerun fifth inning gave them a 5-4 lead. Emanuel managed to tie it in the bottom of the fifth, but VRD scratched across the decisive run in the top of the sixth. The Vidalia defense locked down the final two frames to hold on for a 6-5 victory, keeping their title hopes alive.
Game 2
The one-run victory forced a final, winnertake- all showdown for the Championship, and both offenses came out swinging in a contest that featured 13 hits from each dugout. Vidalia took an early 1-0 lead in the first inning before erupting for 11 runs in the top of the third to blow the game open at 12-0. Emanuel answered back immediately, scoring six in the bottom of the third.
The shootout continued into the fourth, with Vidalia adding three runs and Emanuel answering with five to tighten the score to 1511. Both teams traded blows again in the fifth, with VRD plating two runs and Emanuel answering with three. Leading 17-14, the Vidalia pitching and defense finally restored order, holding Emanuel scoreless over the final two innings to clinch the 17-14 victory and the District Championship.
With the district title secured, the Vidalia 14U girls will pack their bags for Dalton, Georgia, where they will compete in the GRPA State Tournament beginning next Tuesday.
