Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

FRANKLIN FURNACE — The Green Bobcats got the sectional title they wanted. The St. Joseph Flyers just didn’t make it easy for them.
Green built a seven-run lead and then held off the St. Joseph Flyers 7-4 in the Division IV sectional finals on Tuesday.
Tanner Kimbler did the job on the mound and at the plate for the Bobcats. He struck out seven and walked one in going the distance for the win.
Kimbler was 3-for-3 at the plate with three runs batted in.
The Flyers had eight hits led by Chase Walters who went 4 -4.
“We hit the ball and the middle of the order hit the ball hard. We had opportunities. I give our kids credit. They got down 7-0 and didn’t quit,” said Flyers’ coach Greg Bryant.
“But Green is a really good team and (Kimbler) is far and away the best pitcher we’ve faced. You have to play well just to have a chance against them.”
Green (15-3) got a run in the first when Rylee Maynard walked, Kimbler singled and Levi Singleton had a two-out RBI single.
The lead went to 3-0 in the second.
Hayden Whittis and Eli Webb singled, Maynard sacrificed the runners up a base and Kimbler had a two-run single.
The Bobcats got what proved to be the winning rally in the fourth with four runs.
Webb doubled, Maynard singled and Kimbler had an RBI single, Tayte Carver walked, Bryce Ponn hit into a fielder’s choice and Singleton reached on an outfielder error as two runs score.
An out later, Whittis had a run-scoring single to cap the rally.
The Flyers rallied with four runs in the sixth.
Clay Willis reached on an error, Isaac Whaley doubled and  Walters had a two-run single. Trae Crabtree singled and Jimmy Mahlmeister hit into a fielder’s choice to score Walters.
After J.C. Damron walked, the next batter struck out but the catcher dropped the ball and Mahlmeister came home before the catcher’s throw reached first base.
The Flyers had a mild threat in the seventh with two outs when Whaley reached on an error and Walters had his fourth his of the game. But Kimbler retired the next batter on a hard ground out to end the game.
Singleton, Webb and Whittis all went 2-4 as Green had 10 hits.
Whaley was 2-4 with a double for the Flyers who finished 15-4.
Green will play Waterford at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 15, at Chillicothe Paint Stadium in the district semifinals.
St. Joseph 000 004 0 = 4 8 2
Green 120 400 x = 7 10 3
Clay Willis, Isaac Whaley (4), Jackson Rowe (6) and Jackson Rowe, (Jimmy Mahlmeister (4). Tanner Kimbler and Mason Barber. W-Kimbler (K-7, BB-1). L-Willis (IP-3.0, H-6, K-2, BB-3, ER-3). Whaley (IP-2.0, K-1, BB-4, H-4, ER-1). Rowe (IP-1.0, BB-1). Hitting-St. Joe: Chase Walters 4-4, Isaac Whaley 2-4 2B, J.C. Damron 1-2, Trae Crabtree 1-4; Green: Tanner Kimbler 3-3, Levi Singleton 2-4 2B, Eli Webb 2-4 2B, Hayden Whittis 2-4, Rylee Maynard 1-2.