Getting the Vidalia baseball field ready to play Saturday took a whooole lot longer than the length of the first game. But that’s a tribute to both accomplishments.

With rain still falling during the wee hours of Saturday morning, the chances of the Vidalia Baseball Tournament continuing seemed slim.

After getting in two games Thursday, before two of three got rained out Friday, Vidalia baseball officials were going to play it by ear Saturday after rearranging the schedule, including making all four games Saturday and two Sunday five-inning contests.

By 1 p.m., the field was more than playable as Rapides and Springhill took to the diamond.

An amazing 50 minutes later, Rapides players were congratulating each other on a 2-0 win over Springhill in a game that seven total hits.

Rapides pitcher Matt Peterson improved his record to 5-0 and kept his earned run average at 0.00 by limiting the Lumberjacks to one hit and striking out six.

Peterson was timed in the first inning with a fastball at 93 miles per hour.

Springhill pitcher Ty Hanson allowed six hits, and struck out eight over four innings.

Springhill is coached by Vidalia High graduate Bill Moseley.

Rapides, 8-3, would beat Vidalia 5-2 later to finish 2-0 in the tourney. The Mustangs are not able to return today.

Springhill, 6-5, lost to Natchez 2-1 later. Natchez, 4-7, showed a lot of character bouncing back from a 12-0 loss to Vidalia (8-4).

It’s a shame the weather shortened the tournament because it was one of the most competitive fields Viking head coach Johnny Lee Hoffpauir has had.

But that will surely continue because when you have a reputation of putting on a class tournament, good teams want to participate.

The tournament ends today with Cathedral facing Jena at 2 p.m., with the winner of that game facing Vidalia soon after.

I can’t say I understand the Mississippi High School Athletic Association’s thinking when they have the Class 5A&160;championship in Jackson on a Friday and the Class 1A and 2A&160;finals on Saturday.

Surely they had to know a Jackson team would be in the 4A and 5A finals.

As it ended up, Raymond’s girls beat George County 58-56 in overtime in 4A; Mendenall beat Jackson Lanier 58-53 in 4A boys; Murrah defeated Tupelo 63-41 in 5A girls and Harrison Central nipped Murrah 63-60 in overtime in 5A boys.

Jackson St. Joseph and Hinds AHS were the only two local teams Saturday.

One last note from the Vidalia High Tournament.

Rod Donald hit his eighth home run of the year against Natchez Saturday, which ties him with Gregg Johnson in second place for the most home runs in a season.

Donald, who hit seven home runs two years ago, needs six more to break Seth Greer’s record of 14.

And the way Donald is hitting the ball, don’t count him out.

&uot;Everybody comes up to me asking me if I’m going to hit a home run before each game,&uot; Donald said. &uot;I just go out there and try to make contact.&uot;

Don’t be surprised to see Donald chasing more records offensively and on the mound as the season continues.

Joey Martin is sports editor of The Democrat. He can be reached by calling 446-5172 ext. 232 or at joey.martin@natchezdemocrat.com.