By Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

LATHAM — When the walks go down, so does the opposition’s run total.

Savannah Mart not only pitched a 3-hitter with 8 strikeouts, she walked just one batter as the Symmes Valley Lady Vikings posted a 5-inning run rule 11-1 win over the Western Lady Indians in a Southern Ohio Conference game on Tuesday.

“Savannah pitched well. Her change-up was working well tonight. She’s back on track and that’s what we need,” said Lady Vikings’ coach Jeff “Odie” Estep.

“We’ve been working with our pitchers trying to get the walks down because that’s been hurting us. To see Savannah walk just one is a good sign.”

The Lady Vikings (7-5, 2-1) took a 3-0 lead in the first inning.

Emma Ridenour led off with a single, Brenna Tibbs and Desiree Simpson doubled for 2 runs and Mart had an RBI single.

The lead went to 6-0 in the second.

Addy Hawk singled, stole second and scored on Tibbs’ hit. Simpson singled and Marley Ferguson had a 2-run double.

Western got its run in the second when Faith Stone and Chesley Ryan doubled.

The Lady Vikings got a run in the fourth with 2 outs when Tibbs singled, stole second and scored as Simpson reached on an error.

Symmes Valley put the game away with 4 runs in the fifth.

Mart led off with a hit, Kaycee Thompson singled, Hawk walked to load the bases and Ridenour cleared the bases with a 2-out double. Tibbs singled home Ridenour to cap the rally.

The Lady Vikings had 13 hits with Tibbs going 4-for-4 with a double and 3 runs batted in. Ridenour was 3-4 with a double, Simpson 3-4 with a double and 3 RBI, Mart was 2-3, Ferguson 1-3 with a double, Hawk 1-2 and Thompson 1-3.

Bailey Ison, Stone and Ryan were all 1-2 for Western.

Sym. Valley 330 14 = 11 13 2

Western   010 00 = 1 3 3

Savannah Mart and Kaycee Thompson. Lauren Ware, Megan Whitley (5) and Finley May. W-Mart (IP-5.0, H-3, R-1, ER-1, K-8, BB-1). L-Ware (IP-4.0, H-10, R-9, ER-8, K-3, BB-2). Whitley (IP-1.0, H-3, R-2, ER-1, K-1, BB-0). Hitting-Symmes Valley: Brenna Tibbs 4-4 2B 3-RBI, Emma Ridenour 3-4 2B, Desiree Simpson 3-4 2B 3-RBI, Savannah Mart 2-3, Marley Ferguson 1-3 2B, Kaycee Thompson 1-3, Addy Hawk 1-2; Western: Faith Stone 1-2 2B, Chelsey Ryan 1-1 2B, Bailey Ison 1-2.