WATERFORD — With Chayden Renfroe locked up in a pitcher’s duel with Waterford’s Clay Hayes, there was little margin for error.

That one error came in the third inning that enabled the Waterford Wildcats to beat the Symmes Valley Vikings 5-0 in the Division IV sectional tournament on Tuesday.

Renfroe gave up just five hits and four of the five runs were unearned. He struck out four and walked three.

“That was probably the best Chayden has pitched all year. He walked three and one was intentional,” said Vikings’ coach Chad Renfroe. “My kids played hard.

They played good defense. We just didn’t hit. That’s been our problem all year.”

Hayes pitched a one-hitter for Waterford. He struck out 10 and walked two.

“Hayes is one of the better pitchers we’ve faced all year. Waterford is solid and a well-coached team. They’re legit,” said Renfroe.

Chayden Renfroe also had the Vikings only hit when he singled in the seventh.

Waterford snapped a scoreless tie with four unearned runs in the third.

With two outs, Noah Huffman reached on an error, Isaac Huffman was hit by a pitch, Jordan Welch walked, Branden Bellville singled home two and Hayes doubled in a pair.

The Vikings finish the season 8-16 and lose six seniors: Chayden Renfroe, Payton Hayes, Forest Humphrey, Levi Cade, Kyle Matusiewicz and Grant Carpenter.

“I’ll miss this group of seniors. They were a great group to have,” said Chad Renfroe.

 

Sym. Valley    000    000    0    =    0    1    3
Waterford    004    100    x    =    5    5    0

Chayden Renfroe and Lakin Gothard. Clay Hayes and Isaac Huffman. W-Hayes (K-10, BB-2). L-Renfroe (K-4,BB-3, ER-1). Hitting-SV: Chayden Renfroe 1-2; Waterford: Isaac Huffman 1-2, Jordan Welch 1-2 2B, Branden Bellville 1-3, Clay Hayes 1-2 2B, Noah Huffman 1-3.