PICKERINGTON - Pencils have erasers in order to correct mistakes. The Symmes Valley Lady Vikings would like to have an eraser on their team bench.

A couple of mistakes proved to be pivotal in the outcome as the Strasburg Franklin Tigers got past the Lady Vikings 2-0 Thursday in the Division IV regional softball semifinals.

"I've said for years and years and years, you put two good teams together and 99 percent of the time the teams that comes out on top is the one who makes the least mistakes," Lady Vikings coach Jeff "Odie" Estep said.

"We were intense. The defense played well other than a couple of plays. We panicked and rushed a couple of throws. We made two mistakes and that was it."

Lori Harmon pitched well in defeat for the Lady Vikings. She gave up four hits, struck out 11 and did not walk a batter.

Strasburg Franklin starter Deni Zeigler gave up two hits, fanned eight and walked one.

"Lori threw well. I knew they haven't faced anyone like Harmon. It all came down to mistakes and at this level you don't make mistakes," Estep said.

"Their pitcher did a good job. She mixed up her pitches and kept us off-balance."

The game was scoreless through three innings and then the Lady Tigers got an unearned run in the bottom of the fourth inning.

Cassie Moser led off with an infield single and stole second. Zeigler put down a sacrifice bunt but the throw went wild past first base allowing Moser to score.

Strasburg got an insurance run in the sixth inning when Brianna Whitman singled, moved to third base on a sacrifice bunt by Beth Hershberger and scored on a double by Zeigler.

Symmes Valley had only four baserunners and never got a runner past first base.

Jodi Black singled in the second and Cassie Myers singled in the third. Harmon walked in the first, and Stephanie Burns reached on an error in the sixth.

The Lady Vikings finished the season 20-6 as they reached the regional tournament for the first time since 1989.

"I told the girls they don't have anything to be ashamed of," Estep said. "We were among the final 16 in the state. You always want to go out with a championship win, but that's not always the case. (Assistant coach) Chuck (Renfroe) and I are proud because they've accomplished a lot."

The game was the last for Lady Viking seniors Myers, Burns and Kayla Bowman.

"Those are four-year starters who have been a big part in a lot of big wins for us. They meant a lot to the program and they'll be missed," Estep said.

Strasburg Franklin, 24-3, plays Cardington Lincoln at 1 p.m. Saturday in the regional tournament.

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Lori Harmon and Megan Coomes. Deni Ziegler and Lisa Miller. W-Ziegler 8-K, 1-W, 2-H, 0-ER. L-Harmon 11-K, 0-W, 1-ER, 4-H, 1-WP.

SB-Strasburg: Cassie Moser. 2B-Strasburg: Deni Ziegler. Sac-Strasburg: Beth Hershberger, Deni Ziegler. Hitting-Symmes Valley Cassie Myers 1-3, Jodi Black 1-2; Strasburg Franklin: Cassie Moser 1-3, Deni Ziegler 1-2, Abby Cooper 1-2, Brianna Whitman 1-2. Time: 1:05.