PICKERINGTON — Getting runners on base wasn’t the problem. It was getting them across home plate that became a problem.

The Symmes Valley Lady Vikings left 11 runners on base in a 3-1 loss to the Crestline Lady Bulldogs Wednesday in the Division IV regional semifinals at Pickerington High School.

“We played well, we just couldn’t get a timely hit. Their pitcher didn’t overpower us,” Lady Vikings coach Jeff “Odie” Estep said.

The Lady Vikings left runners at first and second base in the first inning, second and third in the third, first and second in the fifth and they had bases loaded in the seventh inning when the game ended.

“Mandi (Estep) pitched well and we played good defense. I hate to see it end like this. The girls played well all year,” coach Estep said.

The game was scoreless until the fourth inning when Crestline scored twice.

Megan Brock singled, Meghan Ronk put down a sacrifice bunt that the Lady Vikings were unable to make a play on and both runners were safe.

A wild pitch moved the runners up, but Mandi Estep struck out the next two batters before Emily Hatfield hit a two-run single.

The Lady Bulldogs got a run in the fifth on a triple by Stacie Kelly and Lauren Hoffer’s ground out.

Symmes Valley finally got a run in its seventh inning rally.

Kayla Justice walked and Cassie Myers hit into a fielder’s choice. Mandi Estep singled and Emily Bowling grounded out to second base as the runners moved up a base.

Rebecca Capper singled home a run and Megan Coomes walked to load the bases.

Crestline (24-5) will face the winner of Thursday’s Leesburg Fairfield (19-3) vs. Danville (17-9) game at noon Saturday in the regional finals.

The Lady Bulldogs have reached the Elite Eight in three of the past four seasons.

Symmes Valley (24-5) beat the Lady Bulldogs 4-1 last season in the regional finals. The Lady Vikings went on to finish as state runners-up.

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Mandi Estep and Megan Coomes. Meghan Ronk and Lauren Hoffer. W-Ronk. L-Estep 3B-Crestline: Stacie Kelly. Hitting-Symmes Valley: Mandi Estep 2-4, Rebecca Capper 2-4, Megan Coomes 1-3, Tasha Pointer 1-3, Emily Bowling 1-4; Crestline: Stacie Kelly 3-4, Mandy Earl 1-3, Megan Brock 1-3, Emily Hatfield 1-3.