LATHAM - The Symmes Valley Lady Vikings began their defense of the Southern Ohio Conference title in style.

The Lady Vikings opened SOC play Wednesday with an 18-0 rout of Latham Western.

"Western is a new team in the league this year, so we didn't know what to expect," Lady Vikings coach Odie Estep said. "It turned out to be rather easy, but that's because we played pretty well."

Symmes Valley had 12 hits as Mandy Estep went 2-2, Kayla Bowman 2-3 and Tommie Holbrook 2-5.

Estep gave up just two hits and struck out 12 to get the win.

Symmes Valley is now 2-0 on the season after opening with a 6-2 win over the Ironton Lady Fighting Tigers.

Kristen Crabtree and Lori Harmon combined on a three-hitter with Harmon racking up 10 strikeouts.

Rebecca Capper went 2-for-3 to lead the Lady Vikings.

In the first inning, the Lady Vikings took a 3-0 lead.

Cassie Myers walked, took second on a wild pitch, and Stephanie Burns doubled her home. Tommie Holbrook hit into a fielder's choice, and Kayla Bowman reached on a fielder's choice.

Capper then doubled home two runs to cap the rally.

Ironton got its two runs in the bottom of the first on the strength of a home run by Katy Barnett.

Brandi Norris was safe on an error, Tracy Mays hit into a fielder's choice, and Barnett followed with her round tripper.

Symmes Valley came back with two runs in the second to lead 5-2.

Jodi Black singled, Ginny Young and Cassie Myers walked, and Black scored on a wild pitch. Harmon hit into a fielder's choice as Myers scored.

The final run came in the fifth when Young was hit by a pitch, Holbrook walked, and Rebecca Capper singled with one out.

Symmes Valley is at South Point Thursday.

Tuesday's Game

Sym. Valley3200100-650

Ironton2000000-230

Kristen Crabtree, Lori Harmon (4) and Tommie Holbrook. Ralene Fitzpatrick, Tracy Mays (3) and Tracy Mays, Jenny Belville (3). W-Crabtree 1-0 (3-K, 0-W, 3-H), Harmon (10-K, 0-W, 0-H). L-Fitzpatrick 0-1 (1-K, 4-W), Mays (6-K, 5-W). 2B-SV: Stephanie Burns, Rebecca Capper; Ironton: Katy Barnett. Hitting-SV: Rebecca Capper 2-3, Jodi Black 1-2, Tommie Holbrook 1-3, Stephanie Burns 1-4, Cassie Myers 1-1 (3 W); Ironton: Teresa Keating 1-3, Katy Barnett 1-3, Ralene Fitzpatrick 1-2.

Wednesday's Game

Sym. Valley361026-18121

Western000000-0214

Mandy Estep and Tommie Holbrook. Kierr and Deal. W-Estep 1-0 (12-K, 1-W). L-Kierr. 2B-SV: Kayla Bowman. 3B-Lori Harmon. HR-SV: Tommie Holbrook. Hitting SV: Tommie Holbrook 2-5, Kayla Bowman 2-3, Mandy Estep 2-2, Cassie Myers 1-5, Lori Harmon 1-4, Stephanie Burns 1-4, Brittany Scott 1-1, Rebecca Capper 1-3, Jodi Black 1-1; Western: Hall 1-3, Brewster 1-3.