MINFORD -- The pitching was great. It was the rest of the Symmes Valley Lady Vikings game that caused the problems.

Lori Harmon turned in an outstanding pitching performance, but the Lady Vikings struggled at the plate and in the field as they lost 3-2 to the Whiteoak Ladycats Wednesday in the Division IV district finals.

Harmon struck out 17, did not walk a batter and allowed just two hits in suffering the tough-luck defeat.

"Lori pitched one heck of a game, but you have to put all elements of the game together when you get to this level," Lady Vikings coach Jeff "Odie" Estep said.

"We put the ball in play, but we didn't hit it hard. But give all the credit to Whiteoak. They have a good team and they came to play. We have no excuses."

Whiteoak pitcher Mary Condo gave up just one hit as she struck out seven and walked five.

Symmes Valley scored single runs in each of the first two innings to lead 2-0.

In the first, Harmon reached on a throwing error to start the rally. Stephanie Burns put down a sacrifice that sent Harmon all the way to third base. Whiteoak attempted to get Harmon, but another throwing error allowed the run to score.

The Lady Vikings got their only hit as they scored in the second inning.

Mandy Estep drew a one-out walk and moved to second on a passed ball. Erin Martin got a bunt single, and a throwing error on the play allowed Estep to score.

Defensive lapses by the Lady Vikings enabled Whiteoak to score three runs in the fourth.

Jackie Hauke singled and stole second. Andrea Waldman struck out, but the ball went to the backstop and Hauke scored.

Leslie Vochunn singled and Lisa Setty was safe on an outfield error as the tying run scored. A throwing error on the play sent Vochunn home with what proved to be the winning run.

"That was a tough loss," coach Estep said.

The Lady Vikings, now 18-9, play at Portsmouth Clay at 5 p.m. Friday in a game to decide the Southern Ohio Conference championship.

Symmes Valley needs a win to claim the title outright. Clay must win to force a share of the league crown.

Whiteoak0003000--322

Sym. Valley1100000--213

Mary Condo and Andrea Buzzard. Lori Harmon and Tommie Holbrook. W-Condo (7-K, 5-W). L-Harmon (17-K, 0-W). Hitting-Whiteoak: Jackie Hauke 1-3, Leslie Vochunn 1-3; Symmes Valley: Erin Martin 1-2.