Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

FRANKLIN FURNACE — The Green Bobcats needed a win to stay atop the Southern Ohio Conference race.
They’re still on top.
Green fell behind early but rallied to beat the Portsmouth Notre Dame Titans 8-7 in a key SOC I game on Friday.
“It was a big crowd and a great atmosphere,” said Green coach Dan McDavid.
“We fell behind but our kids fought back. We showed a lot of grit and heart. We got some clutch hits. That’s a big win.”
Green is now 14-3 overall and 9-0 in the SOC. It was the Titans second SOC loss.
Notre Dame took a 1-0 lead in the first when Drew Cassidy and Tyler Speas singled and C.J. Corns reached on an error.
The Titans went up 4-0 in the third.
Sam Kayser single, Cassidy was safe on an error and Speas and Corns singled for runs. Truman Hash was safe on an error for a run and Sparks singled in a run.
Green rallied for three runs in the bottom of the inning.
Tanner Kimbler and Tyler Darnell doubled for a run. Tayte Carver doubled to put runners at second and third and Trevor Carver singled in the runs.
The Titans went up 6-3 in the top of the fourth.
Trevon Turner singled and Cameron Rodriguez was safe on an error. After a double steal, Cassidy had a two-run single.
Green got a run back in the bottom of the inning when Hayden Whitis walked, Rylee Maynard singled and an outfield error put runners at second and third. Kimbler grounded out to score Whitis.
The Bobcats then rallied to take the lead with four runs in the fifth.
Tayte Carver walked and Trevor Carver doubled him home. Bryce Ponn beat out an infield hit and stole second. After two outs, Maynard walked and Chase Clark had a clutch two-run single.
Kimbler followed with an RBI single to cap the rally.
Notre Dame got a run in the sixth Kayser singled, Rodriquez was safe on an error, Speas was walked intentionally and Corns hit a sacrifice fly.
Kimbler was 3-4 with two RBI, Tayte Carver 2-2 and Trevor Carver 2-4 with three RBI.
Kimbler went 5.1 innings for the win with Trevor Carver getting the save.
The two teams meet at Notre Dame on Monday.
Notre Dame    103    201    0    =    7    10    3
Green          003    140    x    =    8    11    5
C.J. Corns, Cameron Rodriguez (6) and Sam Kayser. Tanner Kimbler, Trevor Carver (6) and Trevor Carver, Tanner Kimbler (6). W-Kimbler (IP-5.1, K-4, BB-1). Save-Tr. Carver (IP-1.2, K-1, BB-1). L-Corns IP-5.0, K-8, BB-3). Hitting-PND: Sam Kayser 2-5, Drew Cassidy 2-4 2-RBI, Tyler Speas 2-2, C.J. Corns 1-3, Grant Sparks 1-4, Trevon Turner 1-4; Green: Tanner Kimbler 3-4 2B 2-RBI, Tyler Darnell 1-4 2B, Tayte Carver 2-2 2B, Trevor Carver 2-4 2B 3-RBI, Rylee Maynard 1-2, Bryce Ponn 1-4, Chase Clark 1-2 2-RBI.