Franklin County.
The Vinton All-Stars were still hoping for a trip to the O-Zone baseball state tournament when the paper went to press this week. Vinton and Salem were still alive in the five-team Dixie League District 7 tournament at Waid Park in Franklin County.
Vinton needed to beat Salem twice to make it to the state. Salem and Vinton were scheduled to play Tuesday, with Salem at 3-0 and Vinton at 2-1. That game was rained out and rescheduled for Wednesday. If Salem won, the tournament is over. If Vinton won, the two would play again tonight for the right to represent District 7 in the state.
Vinton opened with a 5-4 win over North Roanoke on Friday night. Vinton trailed 4-1 and NR had the bases loaded with no outs in the top of the fifth. However, Vinton turned a line drive to third base into a triple play to end the threat, then scored three times in the bottom of the fifth to tie the game. Vinton then scored a walk-off win in the bottom of the sixth.
The Vinton stars beat Franklin County on Saturday, 19-4, but lost to Salem on Sunday, 12-9. Vinton had a bye Monday and Tuesday’s games were rained out, setting up Wednesday’s must-win game scenario.
One team from District 7 advances to the state Dixie League O-Zone tournament, scheduled to begin July 6 in South Hill. O-Zone is for 12 and under boys.
The Dixie League AAA District 7 tournament, for 10 and under boys, is scheduled for Vinyard Park in Vinton beginning this Friday. Glenvar will open the tournament with a 6 pm game against Franklin County, followed by Salem against North Roanoke at 8 pm. On Saturday the Glenvar-Franklin winner will play host Vinton at noon, followed by the two Friday losers at 1 pm.
The tournament is double elimination and runs through July 3rd with an “if game” on July 5th.