Portsmouth – The Symmes Valley Lady Vikings played to the nines.

Thursday, May 11, 2000

Portsmouth – The Symmes Valley Lady Vikings played to the nines. Tied 1-1 in the nine, the Lady Vikings had nine different players rack up a total of nine hits and produce nine runs as they beat the Portsmouth Clay Lady Panthers 10-1 Wednesday to claim the Southern Ohio Conference championship.

"It was a very nice way to send the seniors to graduation with a league title. All the kids ended their career with a hit in their last ball game," Lady Vikings coach Jeff "Odie" Estep said.

Senior Candace Sharp finished her career in a fashion that was typical of her four seasons as she fired a three-hitter, striking out 15 and not issuing a walk.

"Candace had another fine outing on the mound and we played good defense behind her again," said Estep. "Any time you don’t walk anyone and don’t make an error, you have to be pleased."

Symmes Valley finished 13-9 overall and 9-1 in the SOC.

It marked the second straight outright league championship. Clay had won or shared the SOC every year except the past two.

Symmes Valley’s nine-run explosion began with one out.

Sharp singled and Cortney Scott spanked a two-run homer to left and it was 3-1.

Jennifer Myers doubled and Ginny Young had back-to-back doubles for a run, Leah Mann singled, and a passed ball scored Young.

Anna Bodmer had a run-scoring base hit, Carol Myers singled, and Renae Donahoe had a two-run single.

Tommie Holbrook singled to load the bases, and Sharp returned to the plate and singled home the final run.

The Lady Vikings broke a scoreless tie with a run in the fifth.

Mann singled with one out, Bodmer walked, and Tracy Harmon had a run-scoring single.

Clay had two of its three hits in the sixth when it scored its only run.

The game marked the final contest for Viking seniors Renae Donahoe, Leah Mann, Cortney Scott, Jennifer Myers, Holly Wilson, and Candace Sharp.

Sym. Valley 000 010 009 – 10 13 0

Ports. Clay 000 001 000 – 1 3 2

Candace Sharp and Tommie Holbrook. Workman, Hemphill (9) and E. Hemphill. W-Sharp (15-K, 0-W). L-Workman. 2B-SV: Candace Sharp, Jennifer Myers, Ginny Young. HR-SV: Cortney Scott. Hitting-SV: Candace Sharp 3-5, Leah Mann 2-4, Renae Donahoe 1-5, Tommie Holbrook 1-5, Cortney Scott 1-5, Jennifer Myers 1-5, Ginny Young 1-4, Anna Bodmer 1-3, Tracy Harmon 1-3; Clay: Welton 1-4, Broughton 1-4, Fitch 1-3.