For the 4th year in a row and the 7th time in the last 8 years, the Lady Indians of Vidalia High School are headed to the Elite 8 of the GHSA State Softball Tournament. On Tuesday evening, the Lady Indians punched their ticket to Columbus, sweeping Elbert County in two games 6-0 and 5-4 in Vidalia.

The number one ranked Lady Indians, who have only missed the Elite 8 twice in the last 10 years, will open up play in Columbus next Thursday morning at 11:00, where they will face Breman.

In game one, Bailey Holland delivered another gem in the circle, allowing just one hit (a bunt single in the 6th inning) while striking out 8 Blue Devils. Tori Wright led the Lady Indians at the plate, going 2 for 2 with 3 RBI’s and 3 runs scored. Emma Humphrey and Rileigh Robinson also went 2 for 2 with 2 RBI’s, while Allie Taufmann finished 2 for3 with 2 RBI’s.

In game two, the Lady Indians took a 5-0 lead into the bottom of the 7th, but Elbert County would get 4 unearned runs, all with 2 outs, to battle back and make the score 5-4, with the tying run on base.

Indian Head Coach Ben Beck would then go to the senior Bailey Holland to try and get the final out, and Holland delivered, with a strikeout to send the Indians to Columbus.

Tymber Harris struck out 8 in route to the win, with Holland getting the save. Vidalia’s pitching staff has not allowed an “earned run” through the last 48 innings pitched.

In game two, Holland had the big blow of the game with a 3 run double in the top of the 6th inning. Lydia Smith (3 for 4) Tori Wright (2 for 3) led the way at the plate. Allie Taufmann had another 2 hit game with an RBI, while Emma Vinson finished 2 for 4.

The Lady Indians finished with 18 hits, 5 walks, and just 4 strikeouts on the day. 

After the game, Beck said that up to this point, his team has checked off the goals that they have set for the year, “we set these mini goals and then try and catch a few breaks and achieve that one big goal that we all are shooting for.”

Beck went on to say that the success that they have had is due to the hard work that has been put in, “it’s a credit to the girls and these coaches, Co. Korn, Co. Boston and Co. Bush and the work they put in. I am Blessed to have them on this staff and the work that they have put in along with the girls hard work has got us to where we are.”  2AA Fastpitch Championship Bracket (Pictures Courtesy of Carroll Williams) (Courtesy of VHS)