LANCASTER – Not only did the rain keep washing out the district championship game for the Symmes Valley Vikings, it might have washed away their regional tournament hopes.

Sunday, May 27, 2001

LANCASTER – Not only did the rain keep washing out the district championship game for the Symmes Valley Vikings, it might have washed away their regional tournament hopes.

Because of the rainy weather the Vikings didn’t play their district title game until last Tuesday. Ace pitcher Justin Myers pitched a two-hit, 3-0 shutout to put the Vikings in the Division IV regional semifinals Friday afternoon against the Steubenville Central Catholic Crusaders, but he wasn’t able to come back strong on just two days rest.

In fact, No. 2 man Adam Corn started the game for the Vikings before giving way to Myers in the second inning. Myers was ineffective and Corn returned in the fifth.

As a result, the Vikings dropped a 7-1 decision to the Crusaders and saw their tournament run come to an end.

"Justin said he was hurting and couldn’t go. He tried to give it a shot," Vikings coach Rusty Webb said. "Adam Corn pitched well, but it’s been over two and a half weeks since he’s pitched. He had to shake off the rust, too.

"We were hoping that moving our pitchers in and out would confuse them, but they’re a good hitting team. Their kid threw well, but he wasn’t overpowering. He had a heck of a defense behind him and their kids put the ball in play. They did what they had to do to win."

Crusaders coach Tom Bartemes not only was happy to see Myers at first base when the game started, but relieved that the senior righthander wasn’t himself when he did pitch.

"When I saw he couldn’t pitch, I felt a little comfortable, but I still didn’t know what (Webb) had back to go with Myers. We know Myers is a good pitcher. I’m glad we were able to hit the ball today and get some good pitching," said Bartemes.

Steubenville Catholic did start its ace and Mike Yanni won his fourth game in the tournament with a three-hitter. He struck out seven and walked just one.

"Early in the season he was behind in the count, but now he’s throwing the ball well and getting ahead of the hitters. It’s made all the difference in the world," said Bartemes.

After a scoreless first, the Crusaders broke into the scoring column with three runs in the bottom of the second.

Steve Spence singled off the first baseman’s glove, Andrew Danaher walked, and Pat McKitrick had a one-out base hit to left that scored Spence.

The runners moved up on the throw home and Ryan Bartemes walked to load the bases.

Myers came on but Yanni spanked his first pitch into left field for a two-run single.

Symmes Valley answered with a run in the top of the third when Nathan Pinkerman doubled into the left field corner, went to third on Eric Holland’s base hit, and scored on Josh Robinson’s ground out to second base.

Catholic Central got the run back in the bottom of the inning to lead 4-1.

Matt Miller singled to center, Spence followed with a hit to left, and Danaher was safe to load the bases when his attempted sacrifice bunt attempt was misplayed.

Myers struck out the next batter, but McKitrick hit a sacrifice fly to score Miller.

The Crusaders put the game away with three more runs in the fourth inning.

Yanni was hit by a pitch, stole second, and went to third on Cummings’ infield single. Cummings stole second and Miller drew a one-out walk to load the bases.

Spence grounded to Robinson at second who threw home for the force out, but then Danaher cranked a triple over the centerfielder’s head to clear the bases.

Holland was 2-for-2 and Pinkerman 1-for-2 to account for all the Vikings offense.

The Vikings finish the season 14-11.

"Our kids have nothing to be ashamed of," Webb said. "Our kids played hard and they’ve been able to win their conference championship, win the sectional, and win the district. They accomplished a lot."

Steubenville Catholic (15-8) had 10 hits with Spence going 3-for-4 and Cummings 2-for-4.

Sym. Valley 001 000 0 – 1 3 1

Steub. Catholic 031 300 x – 7 10 0

Adam Corn, Justin Myers (2), Adam Corn (5) and Eric Holland. Mike Yanni and Ryan Cummings. W-Yanni (7-K, 1-W, 1-ER). L-Corn (3-K, 2-W, 3-R, E-ER, 5-H). (Myers 2-K, 2-W, 5-H, 4-R, 4-ER). HBP-by Myers (Mike Yanni). PB-Holland. DP-Steubenville Central Catholic (5th). SB-SCC: Mike Yanni, Ryan Cummings 2, Pat McKitrick. SF-SCC: Pat McKitrick. Sac-SCC: Andrew Danaher. LOB-Symmes Valley 2, Steubenville Catholic 9. 2B-Symmes Valley: Nathan Pinkerman; SCC: Steve Spence. 3B-SCC: Andrew Danaher. Hitting-Symmes Valley: Nathan Pinkerman 1-2 (run), Eric Holland 2-2; Steubenville Catholic: Mike Yanni 1-3 (2 RBI), Ryan Cummings 2-4, Steve Cramblett 1-3, Matt Miller 1-3, Steve Spence 3-4, Andrew Danaher 1-2 (3 RBI), Pat McKitrick 1-2 (2 RBI).