AID — There’s nothing better than winning. Just ask the Symmes Valley Vikings.

The Vikings began the Division IV sectional tournament with a 7-1 win over the South Gallia Rebels Monday as Jeremy Hatfield pitched a no-hitter.

Hatfield struck out nine and walked seven as the Vikings improved to 12-10.

“Any time you can come out with a win, it’s good,” Vikings coach John Patterson said.

“Hatfield had good control of

his curveball and he had command of his fastball even though he struggled at times.”

The Vikings got two runs in the first inning.

Robbie Powell singled, Alex Burnett walked and Brice Sexton put down a sacrifice bunt. Kyle Meadows followed with a two-run single.

Symmes Valley added a run in the second inning when Powell singled and Burnett doubled.

The lead went to 4-0 in the third. Cody Bland reached on an error and came around to score on three passed balls.

South Gallia got its run in the top of the fourth inning.

Wells walked but Grier hit into a force out. Grier stole second base and came around to score on two passed balls.

The Vikings got the run back in the bottom of the inning when Powell doubled, Sexton was hit by a pitch and Meadows singled.

In the fifth inning, the Vikings got two runs to cap the scoring.

Hatfield singled, Owens walked, a passed ball moved the runners up a base and they both scored on wild pitches.

Symmes Valley hosts New Boston Tuesday in a Southern Ohio Conference game before playing at Green Thursday in the sectional finals.

South Gallia0001000=100

Sym. Valley211120x=7103

Bernie Fulks, Josh Wright (6) and Josh Wright, Michael Pope. Jeremy Hatfield and Cody Bland. W-Hatfield (9-K, 7-BB, 0-ER). L-Fulks. 2B-Symmes Valley: Robbie Powell, Alex Burnett. Hitting-Symmes Valley: Robbie Powell 3-4, Alex Burnett 1-3, Brice Sexton 1-2, Kyle Meadows 2-4, Cody Bland 1-3, Jeremy Hatfield 2-4, Matt Owens 1-2.