FRANKLIN FURNACE - Joseph Patterson and Ryan Bloomfield locked up in a pitcher's duel, but it was the Symmes Valley Vikings who managed to fire a few extra shots.

Those extra shots hit the target as the Vikings edged the Green Bobcats 4-2 Monday in a Southern Ohio Conference game.

Patterson pitched a four-hitter, struck out 11 and walked three for the Vikings while Bloomfield gave up nine hits, fanned 13 and walked six.

"Both pitchers threw the ball well, we just got one or two really good hits when we needed it," Vikings coach John Patterson said.

Cory Burcham belted a solo home run in the first inning to stake the Vikings to a 1-0 lead.

Green scored twice in the bottom of the first to take the lead as Adam Sparks had an RBI single.

The Vikings regained the lead for good with two runs in the fifth inning.

Kyle Gilmore singled, Nathan Pinkerman and Matt Owens walked to load the bases, and Joseph Patterson lined a two-run double.

The Vikings final run scored in the seventh inning.

Patterson and Caleb Bland both singled, and then a bad pickoff throw at first base allowed Patterson to come around and score.

Coach Patterson said pitching and defense were the key to the win, especially a two-out diving catch by outfielder Matt Owens in the third inning that saved two runs. Green had put runners at first and second on walks.

"That was a big defensive play. If they score there, who knows how the game would have turned out," coach Patterson said.

On Wednesday, the Vikings play at Portsmouth East while Green (3-7, 3-2 SOC) hosts New Boston in league games.

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Joseph Patterson and Justin Holland. Ryan Bloomfield and Mark Castro. W-Patterson (11-K, 3-W). L-Bloomfield (13-K, 6-W). 2B-SV: Kyle Gilmore, Joseph Patterson. HR-SV: Cory Burcham. Hitting-Symmes Valley: Kyle Gilmore 2-4, Cory Burcham 1-4, Joseph Patterson 3-4 (2 RBI), Caleb Bland 1-4, Justin Holland 1-3; Green: Ryan Bloomfield 1-3, Adam Sparks 2-4 (RBI), Odie Kelly 1-2.