Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

AID — Contact. With some authority.
The Symmes Valley Lady Vikings’ bats came alive to help generate a 5-3 Southern Ohio Conference win over the Green Lady Bobcats on Wednesday.
The Symmes Valley (8-5, 5-3) had 12 hits led by Sarah Kingery who was 3-4 with a double. Payton Hunter was 2-3 with a double, Kara r 2-4 with a double and Rachael Hayes was 2-4 with two doubles.
“We hit the ball better and played better defense,” said Lady Vikings’ coach Jeff “Odie” Estep.
“We had the pitching and defense (Tuesday) night, but we just didn’t hit it well. We did a much better job of hitting tonight.”
Saunders got the win as she struck out two and did not walk a batter.
The Lady Vikings went in front 2-0 in the first inning when Hayes, Kingery and Saunders all doubled.
The lead went to 3-0 in the second as Emily Sharp reached on an error and scored on a two-out double by Hayes.
The Lady Vikings added a run in the third.
Kingery singled, Saunders reached on a fielder’s choice. Emily Estep singled and courtesy runner Lauren Wells reached third on a wild pitch and scored a sacrifice fly by Ericca Ross.
The lead went to 5-0 in the fifth.
Ross singled and courtesy runner Maggie Wise went to third on Hunter’s double. Sharp followed with an RBI single.
Green got all three of its runs in the sixth.
Ava Jenkins singled and Charlie Blevins hit into a force play. Kasey Kimbler singled and a wild pitch moved the runners up. Kerston Sparks singled for two runs and went to third on a throwing error.
Rachael Cline singled to drive in a run but Saunders got a ground out to end the inning.
Green 000 003 0 = 3 7 1
Sym. Valley 211 010 x = 5 12 1
Gracie Daniels, Ava Jenkins (4) and Rachael Cline. Kara Saunders and Ericca Ross. W-Saunders (K-2, BB-0). L-Daniels (IP-3.0, K-0, BB-0). Jenkins (IP-3.0, K-1, BB-0). Hitting-Green: Ava Jenkins 2-3, Charlie Blevins 1-3, Kasey Kimbler 1-3, Kerston Sparks 1-3, Rachael Cline 1-3, Cass Kellogg 1-3; SV: Sarah Kingery 3-4 2B, Payton Hunter 2-3 2B, Kara Saunders 2-4 2B, Rachael Hayes 2-4 2-2B, Morgan Jenkins 1-4, Emily Estep 1-4, Ericca Ross 1-3, Emily Sharp 1-3