VIDALIA — Gabby Morace smacked the first pitch she saw in the bottom of the seventh inning toward right field as a Block High School defender lunged to her left to slow it down. The blast, however, proved too powerful as the ball skirted away allowing Katelyn McCarver to score from second base to give Vidalia High School an 8-7 win in fast-pitch softball action Thursday.

“I had been struggling at bat the whole game,” Morace said. “I knew when I got up there that I had to do it for my teammates.”

The run-scoring single was Morace’s lone hit of the game.

“I was really proud of Gabby Morace,” Vidalia coach Forrest Foster said. “Gabby was down on herself all ball game — after the first strikeout she made — and she’s a senior, and she’s working really hard.”

Block managed to score two runs in the top of the inning to tie the game, setting up the climatic ending.

“It was an awesome game,” Block coach Bo Sproles said. “We’re still coming together as a team and finding out what we’re about.”

The Lady Bears managed to rally on three separate occasions, before the seventh.

Vidalia led 2-0 after the first, 4-2 after the second and 7-5 after the fifth.

“Two weeks ago, seven of them were still playing basketball,” Sproles said. “We’ve had very little practice outside, but no excuses; we’re learning how to fight. That was the goal (Thursday), to come in here and fight through the whole game, and we did. I’m proud of them.”

The Lady Vikings received a strong pitching performance from Shelbie Vinet, who recorded 12 strikeouts in earning the win.

“(Vinet) did a very good job (Thursday),” Foster said. “Shelby got behind in the count several times, but fought back. Our walks were very minimal (Thursday).”

Not to be outdone, Block pitcher Kameron Stevenson proved to be equally effective, striking out three batters and inducing ground outs.

“Their pitcher did well; she’s a very talented pitcher,” Foster said.

McCarver and Block’s Delicia Ceasor each recorded inside-the-park homers.

Stevenson recorded a pair of singles and drove in a run.

Angel Kinney and Vinet added run-scoring hits for the Lady Vikings.