Vicksburg High pinch-runner Nathan Baylot is tagged out hard in the face by Callaway’s Avery Jones while trying to steal third base in the second inning of the Gators’ 8-4 victory Saturday at Bazinsky Field. (Melanie Duncan ThortisThe Vicksburg Post)

Bufkin scores winner in seventh to lift VHS over rival Clinton, 2-1

[4/18/04]Clinton’s failure to turn two kept the Arrows from going 2-for-2 against Warren County teams.

Stanley Bufkin scored the winning run in the bottom of the seventh inning when Hampton Calvin beat the relay throw on a potential double play, giving Vicksburg High a tough 2-1 win Saturday afternoon at Bazinsky Field.

The win, coupled with an 8-4 win over Callaway later Saturday, improved the Gators to 17-8 on the year. Vicksburg will host St. Martin in the first round of the Class 5A state playoffs Thursday at 7 p.m.

James Jackson and John Hendrix combined on a one-hitter for the Gators.

Clinton had beaten Warren Central 10-4 on Thursday and turned in another strong performance Saturday. Matt Jordan held Vicksburg to three hits and one walk, and struck out nine, but was betrayed by his defense.

Heath Daigre reached on a passed ball on strike three in the fifth inning, then scored on Calvin’s double to tie the game at 1-1.

In the seventh, Daigre reached on an error. Bufkin came in the game to run for Daigre and advanced to third on Tanner Woodson’s single. Calvin followed with a grounder to short, and the Arrows got Woodson for the second out of the inning but were unable to double up Calvin.

VHS 8, Callaway 4

James Jackson hit a single, double, triple and had two RBIs to lead the Gators past Callaway.

Hampton Calvin added two doubles and an RBI, and Ben Shelton went 2-for-3 with a pair of singles.

Calvin picked up the win, pitching 3 1/3 innings. Steven Price threw 2 1/3 innings, and Drew Smith closed out the game.