Vikings earn title

Tance Hughes

Published Friday, April 18, 2008

VIDALIA — After a sloppy first inning, Vidalia got their act together and defeated the Avoyelles Mustangs 16-5 in six innings in a District 3-3A game.

“We stayed patient at the plate and hit the ball well,” Vidalia head coach Johnny Lee Hoffpauir said. “Hitting has been our strength all year long.”

The win guarantees the Vikings (16-6, 8-2) at least a share of the district title with Marksville.

Avoyelles (11-11, 5-5) scored three runs on three errors and took an early lead over Vidalia.

“We need to play better defense,” Hoffpauir said.

The Vikings answered with a seven-run second inning which included a home run by Hunter Martin.

Vidalia scored four more runs in the third to take a commanding lead over the Mustangs.

Avoyelles helped Vidalia by walking 12 Viking batters and hitting one over the course of the game.

The Vikings kept Avoyelles at bay and ended the game in the bottom of the sixth inning with a three-run home run by Jake DeWeese that brought the mercy rule into effect.

Trey Brasher picked up the win for Vidalia while Nick Helminger was handed the loss for Avoyelles.

DeWeese had a 2-for-4 effort with a double, a home run, and five RBIs and Trey Barnes batted 2-for-2 with two singles, an RBI, and three walks for the Vikings.

Vidalia will find out their playoff seeding next Wednesday.

Vidalia travels to Winnsboro Saturday to play Franklin Parish High School in a non-district contest.