Lady Vandals Secure Playoff Berth

The Lady Vandals finished the season with a pair of wins that secured a playoff spot out of a tight district race.

Van took sole possession of second place on Tuesday, April 15, by defeating Athens, 6-4. They followed that up with a 2-1 win in the regular season finale over Canton on Friday night.

The Lady Vandals trailed 3-0 going into the bottom of the fifth against Athens, but Taylor Wilson and Montana Cunningham started the comeback with back-to-back walks. An infield hit by Chasity Smith, along with an error on the play allowed Wilson and pinch runner Cassie Wiggins to score.

Brittany Wood and Kayla Chitty walked to load the bases, and a passed ball scored Wood and Smith, giving Van a 4-3 lead.

The Lady Vandals added to the lead in the sixth when Chelsey Moore reached on an error, and moved to second on a single by Chasity Smith. Wood then hit a two-run single to drive in the insurance runs needed for the win.

Shelby Harris and Kayla Chitty combined to give up five singles and strike out five.

The Lady of Eagles of Canton visited for the district finale on Friday night, and again the Lady Vandals had to come from behind to get a win.

Canton took a 1-0 lead in the second inning on a pair of singles and a sacrifice bunt. That lead held up until the bottom of the fourth when Wood blasted a solo home run to left to tie the score.

Wood came back to the plate with the bases loaded and two outs in the fifth, and drove in Chelsea Smith for the winning run.

Harris picked up her 11th win of the season, giving up two hits and striking out seven.

The Lady Vandals finish the regular season with an 18-11 mark (7-3 in district). The girls traveled to Lindale for a warm-up game on Tuesday, and will take on Mabank in the two-of-three bi-district series beginning today (Thursday) in Canton. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30.

Bullard claimed the district title with a 10-0 mark. The Lady Panthers receive a first round bye.