Vilonia Eagles Overcome Early Lead, Holding Off Valley View Blazers for 8–6 Victory

In a anticipated non-conference matchup, the Vilonia Eagles traveled to Jonesboro, Arkansas to face the Valley View Blazers. The Eagles established an early lead and withstood a late rally from the Blazers to secure an 8–6 win.

Starting off with solid pitching and defense from both sides. Vilonia got runners aboard but couldn’t convert, closing the top of the 1st on a strikeout with runners on second and third bases. As The Blazers made their way to the plate, #10, Mackenzie Whitlock knocks the ball towards left field placing herself on base. As #6, Harlee Allison steps up, Allison gets a drive down the third baseline, advancing to second. Whitlock takes advantage of an overthrown pickoff to third to score the first run of the game for the Blazers. #21, Ellie Dawson kicks the ball down to center field to advance Allion home, sticking the landing at first.

The Blazers hold off the Eagles until #32, Lila Toll hits the ball to shallow center field and makes her way to third base because of an error by Valley View's defense in the outfield. #31, Olivia Cates steps up and hits a dime to left field off the first pitch, advancing Toll home.

Vilonia strikes again in the 4th inning as #3, Gracie Reed gets a hit to third base with runners now on first and second bases. #6, Andreah Porterfield come behind to advance the two baserunners, unable to stick the landing herself. A bunt from Vilonia's #2 leads to another score tying the game after a toss and a drop from the catcher. With runners on first and second later in the inning, Toll steps back up and sends a rocket to right field for a triple. Vilonia takes their first lead of the game, 4 - 2.

Top of the fifth, Dawson missing a pitch allowing the Eagles to send a runner home to increase their lead, 5 - 2.

Late in the sixth inning, #34, Ralyn Kelley gets a walk with bases loaded. Lanaya McLaughlin comes up to the plate and sends another rocket down the third baseline advancing Vilonia's lead, 8 - 2.

#13, Avery Ellis gets a high hit to left field, the defense missing the catch to put herself on base. Ellis gets an advancement to second as an throw to first could not be controlled. Dawson able to fill the void at first after a short lived at-bat. Ashlyn Beale able to hit a drive to center field to shorten the Eagles' lead. With runners on second and third, #41, Racey Talley with a low fly to left field to shrink the lead from the Eagles again. The Blazers continue to show their dominance when #3, Lauren Riley hits the ball to center field claiming another out for the Blazers, but advancing a teammate home.

Beale able to bring another runner home in the bottom of the 7th, making the final 8 - 6. The Eagles continue on with a record of 14 - 3 while the Blazers add another loss with a new record of 13 - 3.