MONROE, La. — The Vidalia 18 and under All-Star fast-pitch team took out a team from Pine Bluff, Ark., in the Southwest Regional of the 18 and under Little League Tournament Friday night in Monroe, La.

The Vidalia squad had outstanding pitching performances from winning pitcher Laura Perilloux and reliever Mary Sanders, and they managed to put three runs on the board in the third inning to win 3-0, head coach Glen Perilloux said.

“We had rock-solid defense, strong pitching and timely hitting in the third inning,” he said.

Sanders and Perilloux combined to give up just one hit in the game.

Vidalia’s Beth Fortenbery led the team offensively with three hits, one of them a double. Desiree Buie added two hits of her own. Vidalia finished the game with seven hits total.

The win advances Vidalia into the winners’ bracket where they will play Texas West at 8 p.m. tomorrow.

“We are three wins away from an all expenses paid trip to Michigan for the 18 and under world series,” Perilloux said.