On Tuesday night, May 2, 2023, the Fort Walton Beach High School Vikings secured a narrow 4-3 victory over crosstown rivals, the Choctawhatchee High School Indians, in a home playoff game. The game was part of the “2023 FHSAA Softball District Tournaments – 5A District 1”.
The Vikings took an early lead, scoring one run in the first inning. The Indians responded with one run in each of the first two innings, but the Vikings managed to tie the game with a two-run third inning. They then took the lead for good with a single run in the fourth inning.
Top performers for the Vikings included Rilyn Douglas (Fr), who had an impressive batting average of .667 with 2 hits, 1 run, and 1 RBI. She also contributed with a double, showcasing her power at the plate.
- Alyx Hall (So) was another standout, boasting a perfect 1.000 batting average with 2 hits and 2 runs scored. Hall also showcased her speed, stealing a base during the game.
- Ava Smith (Jr) shined not only at the plate with a perfect 1.000 batting average and 1 RBI, but also on the mound. Smith pitched 7 innings, allowing only 2 hits, 3 runs (2 earned), and striking out 12 batters.
For the Indians, Natalie Edwards (Jr) stood out with her powerful performance. Edwards had a .667 batting average, 2 hits, 2 runs scored, and 2 RBIs. She also hit a home run, providing a significant offensive boost for her team. Gabrielle Barnowsky (So) contributed with a .333 batting average, scoring 1 run for the Indians.
The Vikings are now 17-6 and will face off against the undefeated Gulf Breeze Dolphins for the District Championship on Thursday, May 4 at 6:30pm. The team last played against Gulf Breeze back in March and lost 7-5.
