PORTSMOUTH – And the Vikings just keep rolling along.

Sunday, April 09, 2000

PORTSMOUTH – And the Vikings just keep rolling along.

Behind the pitching of Justin Myers and hitting of Anthony Owens, Symmes Valley remained unbeaten with a 22-2 rout of the Portsmouth Notre Dame Titans Friday in a Southern Ohio Conference game.

Myers went the distance for the win as she struck out 14, walked two, and allowed only three hits as the Vikings improved to 4-0 on the season and 3-0 in the SOC.

Owens led a 14-hit attack as he went 4-for-5 including two doubles and a home run.

"I thought Justin Myers pitched an outstanding game, and all the kids contributed," Vikings coach Rusty Webb said. "Owens had a good day at the plate. He’s become a patient hitter."

Myers was 2-4 with two home runs, one a grand slam. Jeff Ralph also hit a grand slam while Billy McCarty and Jeremy Simpson each went 2-4.

Symmes Valley scored twice in the first. Brad Carpenter walked, stole second and third, and came home on a pick off attempt. Owens then hit a solo home run.

A run scored in the fourth when Simpson led off with a double, moved to third on a passed ball, and scored on a wild pitch.

In the fifth, Owens got a base hit, took second on a balk, and came home on an error.

The lead ballooned to 9-1 in the top of the sixth.

Jeremy Copley reached on a fielder’s choice and scored on Carpenter’s double.

Ralph walked and Owens doubled home a run. Eric Holland and Myers walked and Adam Corn singled.

Symmes Valley erupted for 13 runs in the seventh inning that was highlight by Myers and Ralph hitting grand slam home runs.

Myers hit two home runs in the inning and the home runs were the only hits of the inning. Titan pitchers walked nine in the inning and committed three errors.

Overall, Titan pitchers combined to walk 13 batters.

Symmes Valley hosts South Webster Tuesday.

Sym. Valley 200 115 (13) – 22 14 2

Notre Dame 000 101 0 – 2 3 7

Justin Myers and Anthony Owens. Graf, Augustine (4), Newman (7), Malone (7) and Rutman. W-Myers (14-K, 2-W). L-Graf. 2B-SV: Anthony Owens 2, Billy McCarty, Brad Carpenter; PND: Rutman. HR-SV: Jeff Ralph, Justin Myers 2, Anthony Owens. Hitting-SV: Anthony Owens 4-5, Billy McCarty 2-4, Jeremy Simpson 2-4, Justin Myers 2-4 (6 RBI), Jeff Ralph 1-4 (4 RBI).