Russellville, Vina fall in first round

Vina’s Sammy Pardue pitched several innings of relief in the third game of the series. | Scot Beard/FCT

Both area teams that reached the state baseball playoffs got off to strong starts in their opening-round series, but neither squad could turn that momentum into a berth in the second round.

Vina began its series with a 7-0 victory against Decatur Heritage. It was the first playoff win for Vina since Greg Hamilton began coaching the team.

The Red Devils then lost game two when some base running mistakes in the top of the first inning cost Vina some runs and Decatur Heritage scored three runs in the bottom of the first.

Vina fell behind early in the third game and never recovered as the Eagles won the series with a 9-2 victory in Saturday’s decisive game.

Brent Townsend, who picked up the win on the mound for the Red Devils in the first game, led Vina with four singles and a pair of doubles in the series.

Channing Haithcock added three singles, a double and two RBIs while Morgan McCarley singled twice and doubled.

Nick Schmittou hit three singles and Clay Pierce added a double and two RBIs during the series.

Russellville led East Limestone 9-2 during the sixth inning of the first game. The Indians rallied and scored 10 runs in the sixth to take the lead.

East went on to win the first game 12-10.

The Golden Tigers rebounded by scoring five runs in the first inning of the second game, but the Indians rallied again to down Russellville 12-8 and sweep the series.

Nathan Vincent, Jonas Boyles and T.J. Lindsey all hit solo homers for Russellville in the first game while Casey Herring added a two-run homer.

Matthew Duncan added a two-run single during the second game for Russellville.