VRD 10U Boys Are State Runner-Up

The Vidalia Recreation Department 10U Boys put together a deep run at the Georgia Recreation and Parks Association (GRPA) State Softball Tournament last week. Playing in Statesboro, the VRD squad battled through a tough bracket to finish the season as the State Runner-up.

VRD vs. Sumter

Vidalia opened the tournament against Sumter County. The offense went to work early, using a four-run top of the first inning to set the tone. Sumter scratched across a single run in the bottom half, but that was all the VRD defense allowed. Vidalia tacked on another run in the fourth before breaking things open with a sevenrun fifth, sealing a dominant 12-1 victory.

VRD vs. Wayne

Round two brought a tighter matchup against Wayne County. Scoreless through two innings, Vidalia broke the ice in the bottom of the third with three runs. They added single runs in the fourth and fifth to build a comfortable 5-0 cushion. Wayne County managed a pair of runs in the top of the sixth, but VRD shut the door to secure the 5-2 win.

VRD vs. Coffee

That victory advanced Vidalia to the winners' bracket semifinals against Coffee County. Pitching and defense carried the day. VRD took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the second and doubled it with two more in the third. An insurance run in the fifth capped the scoring. The defense kept Coffee County completely off the board, earning a 5-0 shutout and a berth in the Championship.

VRD vs. Wayne Championship Game 1 Wayne County fought their way out of the losers' bracket, setting up a rematch in the Championship series. Game one turned into a grind. Wayne struck first with a run in the top of the second. VRD responded with two in the bottom half to grab the lead. Wayne tied it in the fifth and took a 3-2 edge in the sixth. Down to their final outs, Vidalia rallied for a run in the bottom of the sixth to force extra innings. The top of the seventh proved costly as Wayne erupted for five runs. VRD showed some grit, plating three in the bottom half, but they fell short in an 8-6 loss.

Game 2

The defeat forced a winner-take-all second game for the title. This time, Wayne County took control from the first pitch. A three-run bottom of the first put Vidalia in an early hole. VRD pushed a run across in the second inning to cut the deficit. Wayne answered with two runs in the third and three in the fourth to pull away. Vidalia couldn't mount a comeback, dropping the deciding game 8-1.

It was a tough end to a long week, but the VRD boys have plenty to be proud of. They wrap up their season as District Champions and the second- best team in the state.