AID -- One thing is usually for certain when the Green Bobcats play the Symmes Valley Vikings: it's going to be close.

That was the case once again Thursday as the Vikings pushed across a run in the bottom of the seventh inning to edge Green 2-1 in the Division IV sectional tournament finals.

"We had some people step up and play with intensity. We played with confidence and and enthusiasm. Green came in ready to play and did a great job. (Coach Dave) Shope had them ready to play," Vikings coach John Coriell said.

Eric Holland doubled to open the seventh inning. Michael Roth walked and then Cory Burcham was walked intentionally to load the bases. Josh Robinson hit a ground ball but the relay to home was late and Holland had scored the winning run.

Neither team scored the first two innings and then Symmes Valley broke the deadlock in the third when Robinson singled, stole second, and scored on Billy McCarty's base hit.

Green tied the game in the top of the fourth. Joe Salyers walked, moved to third on an error, and scored on Jimmy Moore's sacrifice fly.

The score remained tied until the seventh inning rally.

Joseph Patterson went the distance and limited Green to just three hits as he improved his record to 9-1.

McCarty and Nathan Pinkerman each went 2-for-3 to lead the nine-hit attack.

Freshman Ryan Bloomfield took the loss for Green. Andrew Collins, Bloomfield, and Moore had one hit apiece for the Bobcats.

Symmes Valley (13-2) will now face the other sectional winner in the Div. VI district.

"We look forward to the next challenge," Coriell said.

Green0001000--130

Sym. Valley0010001--292

Ryan Bloomfield and Jimmy Moore. Joseph Patterson and Eric Holland. W-Patterson 9-1. L-Bloomfield. 2B-Green: Eric Holland. Hitting-Green: Ryan Bloomfield 1-3, Jimmy Moore 1-2, Andrew Collins 1-2; Symmes Valley: Cory Burcham 1-3, Josh Robinson 1-3, Billy McCarty 2-3, Chad Artrip 1-3, Nathan Pinkerman 2-3, Terry Elswick 1-3, Eric Holland 1-2. Jim Walker/The Ironton Tribune