Vidalia — A scoring controversy, a rally and a walkoff win all transpired in one contest at Concordia Parish Recreation District 3 Complex Friday night, as the Vidalia 13- and 14-year-old all-star softball team defeated Blanchard 10-9 in the first round of the state tournament.

With the bases loaded and one out in the bottom of the seventh of a 9-9 contest, Shauniesha Crumpton stepped to the plate in a position to lift her team to victory. Crumpton was zoned in at the plate.

“I was just thinking I have to get a base hit here,” Crumpton said.

Crumpton laced a blooper above Blanchard’s second baseman and into shallow centerfield, allowing Vidalia the 10-9 victory.

The walkoff single was a dramatic finish to a softball game that seemingly had everything. Coach Jackie Johnston caught his breath after nearly a three-hour game ended.

“It was a new ballgame every inning,” Johnston said.

The game commenced with Vidalia pitcher Emily Rasco giving up five runs in the first inning as Blanchard batted around.

“Emily Rasco fell apart in the first inning, and they all but folded,” Johnston said. “But then they regrouped and said, ‘No, we’re not doing that.’ Emily started hitting her pitches, and the defense behind her started coming back.”

After chipping away inning by inning — two runs scored in the first, one scored in the second, another in the third — Vidalia exploded for a four-run inning in the fourth that gave the team an 8-7 lead.

In the midst of both teams trading runs, Vidalia catcher Kaitlin Dooley was hit by a pitch in her ankle, which caused it to swell immediately.

“Before she hit the ground, a knot already appeared on her ankle,” Johnston said. “They took her to the hospital. I would imagine her all-star season is over. She’s our catcher and Alyssa Howard stepped in and did a great job.”

Dooley’s absence provided the all-stars with more adversity to overcome, and after Blanchard tied the game in the top of the fifth, Vidalia regained the lead on an RBI single by Crumpton in the bottom of the fifth.

Controversy ensued in the following inning when one of Blanchard’s Lexi Harrison inadvertently prevented Crumpton from throwing out a runner. Harrison scored on the play, but the umpire called her out for interference. Blanchard tied the game later in the inning but could not take the lead.

Rasco pitched all seven innings and earned seven strikeouts. Madison Johnston successfully executed a squeeze bunt to score a runner and Baylee Graning recorded an RBI single.

Vidalia will play against Bossier at 7 tonight.

Vidalia 16, New Iberia 17

After trailing 9-1 in the third inning, the Vidalia 7- and 8-year-olds rallied to take a 14-11 lead in the fourth inning after an eight-run fourth inning.

New Iberia regained the lead in the fifth inning, and after scoring two runs in the last inning to make it 17-16, Vidalia coach Brent McCarthy said an incredible catch made by a New Iberia outfielder secured their fate.

“It was an incredible catch,” McCarthy said. “That hit would have won us the game, but that girl made a heck of a play.”

Vidalia will play again Sunday at 8 p.m.

Vidalia 0, Lake Charles 10

Vidalia 7- and 8-year-olds coach Hailey Guillory said her team never got over its nerves in New Iberia for the state tournament and fell to Lake Charles 10-0.

“It was a new experience for most of the girls,” Guillory said. “They just weren’t used to that stage.”

Guillory’s team will play at 6 p.m. Sunday.