Red Devils earn much-needed area win

By Staff
Mike Self FCT Sports Editor
Gary Taylor struck out seven batters in a complete game and also hit a tie-breaking home run in the fifth inning on Monday as Vina remained in the thick of the playoff hunt with an 8-4 win at Brilliant.
The fourth-ranked Red Devils (17-6, 2-2 Class 1A, Area 13) have two area games remaining, Thursday at Hackleburg and next Monday versus Marion County.
Win or lose at Hackleburg, Vina's hopes of returning to the postseason hinge entirely on the game with Marion County.
First the Red Devils had to get by Brilliant on Monday.
The Tigers led 3-1 after the first inning, but Vina tied the game in the top of the second on a two-run single by Randy Barnes.
The game was still tied in the top of the fifth when Max Weeks led off with a single and Taylor followed with a two-run blast to put the Red Devils on top 6-4.
Corey Scott followed with a hit, and courtesy runner Derek Reid scored on a double by Rodney Barnes to make it 7-4.
The Red Devils added an insurance run in the seventh when Taylor singled, stole second and scored on a hit by Luke Childers.
Taylor was the winning pitcher, allowing four runs (two earned) on four hits in seven innings.
Taylor allowed four runs through the first three innings and then faced just one batter over the minimum over the final four frames.
Vina scored a run in the top of the first when Kerry Lawler walked and eventually came home on a groundout by Scott.
In other recent local action:
Hackleburg 12 Vina 4
C.J. Ford allowed just four hits in a complete game as the second-ranked Panthers defeated Vina last Thursday.
The game was tied 2-2 before Hackleburg erupted for eight runs in the top of the fourth inning. The Panthers hit a grand slam and a two-run homer in the inning.
Gary Taylor hit a solo homer for Vina in the fifth. Paul Wilkins had an RBI single.