FAYETTEVILLE -- Vilonia wasn't too worried Friday even though it trailed Paragould 2-1 after four innings of the Class 5A softball state championship game.
"We've been down before," Vilonia Coach Kevin Sullivan said. "It seems like we were behind in just about every tournament game, even earlier in the year, but we've been resilient and came back to win a bunch of those games. We just stayed calm again today."
It was Paragould (26-2) that got a bit rattled in the top of the fifth, making a fielding error and throwing another ball away on the base paths to help Vilonia score four runs that turned the tide for good in a 5-2 victory.
Vilonia (27-4) tied the game at 2-2 on an error and had two runners on base after another error when Buggy Lyons crushed a three-run home run that proved to be the difference.
"It's too bad they had a few mistakes because they are a good ball club, but that's the game," Sullivan said. "We were able to take advantage of the opportunity when they made some mistakes, and that's what you have to do to win ball games."
Lyons was 2 for 3 and was named the game's MVP.
Vilonia took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first when Sarah Brantley walked and came in to score when Cassie Leach lined a double into the gap. Lyons came up behind her with a chance to drive in another but struck out.
Lyons was glad to get another chance with two on after the errors in the fifth.
"I just put it all in God's hands," Lyons said. "It relaxes me to just block everything out and let him be in control."
Lyons' home run went well over the wall in left field and almost into the parking lot.
"I wasn't really expecting a pitch that good but I thought, 'Oh, this is nice,' " Lyons said.
Lyons doubled later in the game.
"She is one of the hardest-working kids we've got and she deserves it," Sullivan said of the MVP honor. "I was glad we had her up there with a couple of runners on base."
Vilonia held on as pitcher Sydney Wader allowed one hit and no runs over the final three innings. Wader had given up back-to-back runs in the the third and fourth as Paragould took the 2-1 lead.
Wader allowed 2 runs on 5 hits and 3 walks with 6 strikeouts to earn the victory. Vilonia's defense backed her up with a errorless play, sealing the victory with a nifty 4-6-3 double play.
Alex Wilkins also had two hits for Vilonia.
Leadoff batter Chase Nelson had two hits for Paragould, and center fielder Katie Lomax had a triple and a double with a run scored.
Vilonia;100 040 0 -- 5 8 0
Paragould;001 100 0 -- 2 5 2
Wader and Gray; Carter and Nelson. W -- Wader, 16-3. L -- Carter, 24-2. HR -- Lyons, Vilonia.
Sports on 05/23/2015