SANTA FE, N.M. — The Vidalia 14-and-under Little League softball team advanced to the finals of the Southwest Regional Tournament with a 14-2 win over New Mexico South in five innings Monday afternoon.

Vidalia scored five runs in the top of the first and third innings, which was plenty of run support for winning pitcher Elizabeth Smith, who allowed two runs on three hits and one walk and struck out six in four innings.

“She did a great job. We had our error, and she walked a batter and that’s how they got their two runs in the first inning,” Vidalia coach Donald Bertelsen said. “After that, Elizabeth gave up one hit in her final three innings.”

Smith helped her own cause by going 3-for-4 with two doubles and Katelynn Bertelsen went 3-for-3 with a triple to lead Vidalia’s 18-hit attack.

“We sent 11 batters to the plate in the first inning and we batted around in the third inning,” coach Bertelsen said. “We left the bases loaded in the second inning. We left quite a few on base.”

Vidalia will take on Texas West today in the finals. Vidalia must win twice to advance to the Little League Softball World Series. The first game starts at 11:30 a.m. If Vidalia wins, the deciding game will start at approximately 2 p.m.