VIDALIA — The Vidalia Vikings were using the Vidalia Goldman Equipment Invitational as a tune up for district play, which begins Monday.

But going 0-3 on the weekend isn’t exactly the way they wanted to prepare.

One day after getting blasted 16-2 by West Feliciana, the Vikings lost 10-3 to Minden and 8-7 to Oakdale on Saturday.

“We didn’t compete well,” Vidalia coach Johnny Lee Hoffpauir said. “The last game we finally showed a little heart. But the first two games the other team jumped on us so quick, we couldn’t recover.”

That was the case in Vidalia’s opening game of the day against Minden.

The Crimson Tide jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the first, as Bo Parker hit a two-run homer to open things up.

Vidalia tried to come back by scoring two runs in the bottom of the second inning on an RBI double by B.J. Neely and run-scoring single by Matt Souderes, but Minden blew the game open with five runs in the top of the third.

Bryant Stanberry and Dalton Herrington both had two-run home runs in the third inning to put Minden comfortably out front.

Minden added single runs in the fifth and sixth innings while Vidalia could only tack on one more run on a solo homer by Jamal Davis in the fifth.

The Vikings had just four hits in the game.

Vidalia’s game against Oakdale followed a similar script, as the Warriors jumped out to an early lead.

Oakdale scored a run in the top of the first and then added six runs in the top of the second to jump out to a 7-0 lead.

Garrett Ware and Rush Williams had back-to-back home runs to supply much of the damage for Oakdale in the second inning.

Vidalia gamely fought back with four runs in the second inning to cut the score to 7-4, but Oakdale came back with a run in the top of the third to make the score 8-4.

Vidalia continued its comeback in the bottom of the fourth, as the Vikings took advantage of shaky defense to score three runs.

Caleb Vines scored on a wild pitch before John Brixey drove in a run with a single. Brixey scored later in the inning on a throwing error.

However, Vidalia couldn’t get the tying run across, as the Vikings went down in order in the bottom of the fifth. The game was called after five innings due to the time limit.

Like the first game, Vidalia could manage just four hits, which is something that greatly concerns Hoffpauir, especially since the pitching staff is not at full strength due to injuries.

“That’s a big concern because (hitting) is supposed to be our strength,” Hoffpauir said. “We had way too many strikeouts. You can’t hit when you’re striking out. You’ve got to put the ball in play. Our offense has got to carry us now.”

The Vikings open district play Monday at Jena.

West Feliciana 10, Trinity 4

The Trinity Episcopal Saints hung close with West Feliciana for most of Saturday’s first game of the Vidalia Goldman Equipment Invitational, but a five-run fifth inning proved decisive in the West Feliciana victory.

West Feliciana scored five runs in the top of the fifth inning that turned a 5-4 nailbiter into a 10-4 runaway.

Trinity couldn’t come back with any runs in the final two innings, and had just four hits in the game.

The highlight of Trinity’s offensive performance was a home run by Jordan Dossett. Kent King also had a double for the Saints in the loss.

Adam Burns was 4-for-4 for West Feliciana, and all 11 of the team’s hits were singles.

Trinity 7, Oakdale 4

Givonni Dent hit a grand slam to highlight a five-run fourth inning for Trinity, as the Saints came from behind to post a 7-4 win over Oakdale in the final game of the Vidalia Goldman Equipment Invitational.

Trinity trailed 4-2 entering the bottom of the fourth before the Saints rallied for the victory.

Jake Winston pitched a complete game for Trinity, overcoming four early runs to shut Oakdale out the final three innings.

The game was called after five innings due to the time limit.

Winston struck out 11 batters in earning the victory.

In addition to his grand slam, Dent also hit a double along with King, who was also 3-for-3 in the game.

The Saints (5-5) will get back into district play Monday when they take on Tensas Academy at Chester Willis Field at 6 p.m.