Jake Martin

Sports Reporter

Vidalia — A culmination of errors and timely hitting allowed Vidalia High School (1-1) to defeat Harrisonburg High through five innings in an 11-1 victory Thursday night in Vidalia.

Six Harrisonburg errors and seven walks aided the Vikings’ 10-run rule victory.

Vidalia head coach Kale Davis didn’t classify the victory as a satisfying one for his team, Davis, however, was pleased to see his team rebound from a 5-4 loss suffered at Mangham last Monday.

“We wanted to just come out and put some balls in play and put the pitcher at work,” Davis said. “We just wanted to build upon what we did Monday. We had a hard-fought game, and I just didn’t want the guys to bring that game into this game. For the most part, we did OK.”

Alan Doyle earned the victory for the Vikings, pitching all five innings and producing eight strikeouts.

“I want to see pitching continue to improve,” Davis said. “That’s going to be our strong point this season. We’re just trying to find some chemistry right now.”

Dylan Parnham led the Vikings in hitting with three singles, while Kyle Coley and William Handjis each had RBI doubles.

Handjis’ came at the most opportune time. Up 3-1 in the bottom of the third inning with the bases loaded, Handjis ripped a shot to the wall in left field, clearing the bases and putting the Vikings up 6-1.

“My team was counting on me with two outs,” Handjis said. “We needed a big hit.”

Davis called Handjis a leader, acknowledging the team’s reliance on the junior, who pitched Monday in the loss to Mangham, to produce both in the lineup and on the mound.

“Hanjis does a lot for the team,” Davis said. “Every time we need a clutch hit, I’m looking for him, Josh Foucher, Kyle Coley or Cole Camgeni to come through. I put more pressure on them than anybody. Handjis is clutch. He’s a workhorse.”

Following Doyle striking out the side in the top of the fourth, Vidalia added two more runs in the bottom with a Camgeni RBI single. Doyle continued to grow stronger late in the game, completing another scoreless inning with a strikeout. Vidalia scored two more in the bottom of the fifth on walks to secure the victory.

Vidalia will play in the Block tournament this Saturday with a showdown against Peabody starting at 2 p.m.