COAL GROVE — The Coal Grove Hornets are saving their best for last.

The Hornets won their fifth straight to get over the .500 mark as they beat the Symmes Valley Vikings 12-4 Wednesday.

“We’ve had a couple of good wins against teams with good records. Symmes Valley plays some good teams,” said Hornets’ coach Dean Mader.

The Hornets are now 10-9 as they took advantage of eight walks. Oakie Haynes went the distance to get the win as he gave up six hits, struck out five and walked seven.

Coal Grove went up 2-0 in the first inning.

Jake Murphy and Wayne Sparks walked and Frank Delawder doubled. Sparks scored on an errant pickoff throw.

The lead went to 4-0 in the second.

Evan Ferguson was safe on an error, Drew Jenkins walked and Cody Gool had an RBI single. Jenkins came home on a wild pitch.

Symmes Valley got a run in the third on a single by Garrett Foster, a double by Cody Myers and a fielders’ choice.

But the Hornets erupted for six runs in the bottom of the inning to go up 10-1.

Jared Eldridge and Ferguson walked and Jenkins was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Gool, Haynes and Murphy all walked to force in three runs.

Sparks spanked a double to drive in two runs and Murphy scored on a wild pitch.

The Vikings scored twice in the fifth.

Luke Taylor doubled and Jacob Patterson singled in a run. Nathan Dockery also had an RBI single.

But the Hornets came right back with two in the bottom of the inning.

Cody Damron and Gool both reached on errors and Murphy grounded out as Damron scored. Sparks then doubled in the final run.

Symmes Valley got its final run in the seventh when Dockery reached on a fielder’s choice and scored on an outfield error.

Coal Grove plays at South Point Friday.

Sym. Valley 001 020 1 = 4 7 3

Coal Grove 226 020 x = 12 6 2

Jacob Patterson, Cody Myers (3) and Kyle Bowen. Oakie Haynes and Jake Murphy. W-Haynes (5-K, 7-BB). L-Patterson. 2B-SV: Cody Myers, Luke Taylor; CG: Wayne Sparks 2, Jared Eldridge, Frank Delawder. Hitting-Symmes Valley: Cody Myers 1-4, Luke Taylor 1-3 RBI, Jacob Patterson 2-3, Nathan Dockery 2-3 RBI, Garrett Foster 1-4; Coal Grove: Wayne Sparks 2-3 3-RBI, Frank Delawder 1-4 RBI, Jared Eldridge 2-3, Cody Gool 1-2.