Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

PICKERINGTON — The Symmes Valley Lady Vikings’ season ended the way it started and continued throughout the year: fighting.

The Lady Vikings battled until the final out before falling to the Strasburg-Franklin Lady Tigers 8-3 in the Division IV regional semifinals on Wednesday at Pickerington Central High School.

“They played well. We beat a lot of good teams this year. We probably beat a few teams we weren’t supposed to beat, said Lady Vikings’ coach Jeff “Odie” Estep who won his 400th career game during the season.

“It was a great group. They had a lot of heart. They never quit today or all season.”

They Lady Vikings finished 22-6 but lose seniors Hannah Mays, Kaitlyn Payne, Tiara Hatfield, Stephanie Brown and Caitlin Carpenter.

“They’ve all been four-year starters. It’s going to be hard to replace those five seniors. They won 73 ballgames over four years,” said Estep.

The Lady Vikings took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning.

Taylor Webb doubled, went to third base on a delayed steal and scored when the pitcher Hannah Duff threw the ball away.

Strasburg (23-6) took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the first on a two-run homer by Teashauna.

Strasburg extended its lead to 5-1 in the third inning.

After back-to-back walks to start the inning, Kim Addy singled in a run and Emma Clark had a two-out, two-run single.

Clark also had an RBI single in the fifth inning after a double by Addy. The Lady Tigers added two more runs in the sixth.

Despite being down 8-1, the Lady Vikings continued to fight as they scored twice in the top of the seventh.

Sarah Kingery singled to start the inning and Sierra Ross doubled her home. Kara Saunders followed with an RBI single.

The Lady Vikings had six hits. Webb went 2-2 and Sierra Ross was 2-3.

Sym. Valley 100 000 2 = 3 6 0

Strasburg 203 012 x = 8 8 1

Kaitlyn Payne and Tiara Hatfield. Hannah Duff and Hannah Reifenscheneider. W-Duff IP-7, K-10, BB-2. L-Payne IP-6, K-1, BB-5, HBP-1. Hitting-SV: Taylor Webb 2-2 2b, Sierra Ross 2-3 2b rbi, Sarah Kingery 1-3, Kara Saunders 1-3; SF: Teashauna Alleshouse 2-4 HR, Kim Addy 2-4, Emma Clark 2-2, Menifee 1-2, Morgan Crites 1-3.