VIDALIA, La. — In one big inning the Vicksburg 16U All-Stars went from having a game they’d never forget for the wrong reasons, to one they’ll never forget for all the right reasons.

Macey Bufkin’s RBI single in the bottom of the eighth inning gave the Vicksburg squad an 11-10 win over Colorado in an elimination game Sunday night at the Senior League Little League Softball Southwestern Regional.

Vicksburg first blew a 6-0 lead, then rallied from a 10-6 deficit to tie Colorado in the bottom of the seventh inning. In the bottom of the eighth, Mississippi’s Candace Emerle singled and advanced to third on two passed balls. She then scored on Bufkin’s hit for the walk-off victory.

The Vicksburg All-Stars advanced to play another elimination game late Monday night against Louisiana.

Vicksburg, which is made up of players who participated in the Vicksburg Girls Softball Association this past year and were selected to the all-star team after a tryout, won the Mississippi state championship by default. It’s the only Little League-affiliated recreational program in the state.

Vicksburg would need to win three more elimination games after Monday’s contest to take the regional title and advance to the Little League World Series. The Mississippi-Louisiana winner will face the winner between host team Vidalia, La., and Texas East Tuesday at 4 p.m.

Vicksburg fell into the losers’ bracket of the seven-team tournament after losing 3-2 to Texas East in its opener Saturday. Texas East pitcher Haley Contrevas struck out 15 batters and held off a late rally to get the win.

Trailing 3-0 in the seventh inning, Mississippi got three straight hits from Alyssa Gordon, Emerle and Bufkin. Bufkin hit a double that plated two runs, but was stranded at second base as Contrevas struck out the last two batters.

Mississippi pitcher Maddie McAdam struck out five batters in six innings of work.
While the 16U All-Stars continue their tournament, the Vicksburg 12U All-Stars are headed to Waco, Texas to begin their Southwest Regional on Wednesday.

Vicksburg, the Mississippi champion, will take on Colorado in a first-round game Wednesday at 2 p.m. The game will be televised on the Watch ESPN app.