Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

FRANKLIN FURNACE — The Symmes Valley couldn’t quite shake the rust off.
After an 11-day layoff, the Lady Vikings fell 4-3 to the Green Lady Bobcats in a Southern Ohio Conference game on Tuesday.
“We haven’t played in 11 days, but that isn’t an excuse. We still practiced. Green played well. They deserved to win,” said Lady Vikings’ coach Jeff “Odie” Estep.
Gracie Daniels went five innings for the win as she struck out eight and walked four. Ava Jenkins finished up for the save.
Sarah Kingery went the distance for the Lady Vikings. She fanned five and walked only one. She also went 2-3 at the plate.
Symmes Valley (7-5, 4-3) got a run in the third when Kingery reached on an error and courtesy runner Kilie Thompson scored on a double by Kara Saunders.
Green tied the game in the fourth as Charlie Blevins singled, moved to second on a wild pitch, took third on a ground out and scored on an error.
Ericca Ross walked, courtesy runner Maggie Wise moved up on a wild pitch, took third on a hit by Kelsie Gothard and came home on a wild pitch.
Green came back with three runs in the bottom of the inning to take a 4-2 lead as they got four of their six hits.
Blevins singled, Kerston Sparks doubled and Rachael Cline singled for a run. With two outs, Kailyn Neal had a two-run double.
The Lady Vikings rallied for a run in the seventh as Rachael Hayes, Morgan Jenkins and Kingery all singled for a run. But the next three batters were retired to end the game.
Blevins was 2-2 for Green.
Sym. Valley 001 001 1 = 3 6 2
Green 000 103 x = 4 6 2
Sarah Kingery and Ericca Ross. Gracie Daniels, Ava Jenkins (6) and Rachael Cline. W-Daniels (K-8, BB-4). Save-Jenkins. L-Kingery (K-5, BB-1). Hitting-SV: Sarah Kingery 2-3, Rachael Hayes 1-3, Morgan Jenkins 1-4, Kara Saunders 1-4 2B, Kelsie Gothard 1-2; Green: Charlie Blevins 2-2, Kerston Sparks 1-3 2B, Rachael Cline 1-3, Kailyn Neal 1-2 2B, Gracie Daniels 1-2.