AID - New game, new hero.

So it's been for the Green Bobcats who remained unbeaten with an 8-5 win over the Symmes Valley Vikings in a battle for first place in the Southern Ohio Conference.

Making the big plays for the Bobcats Thursday were pitcher Odie Kelley and catcher Mark Castro.

Odie Kelley struck out nine and walked two as he tossed a 5-hitter to improve his record to 3-0. Castro went 2-for-3 with a home run and a double.

"Odie had another fine performance with nine strikeouts and only two walks. We continue to be fortunate enough to have different guys step up with runners on base," Green coach Dave Shoupe said.

Green remains atop the Southern Ohio Conference at 7-0 and 9-0 overall. Symmes Valley fell to 3-3 and 2-1 in the league.

The Vikings went up 1-0 in the first inning, but Green rallied to score three times in the second inning to lead 3-1.

Symmes Valley regained the lead at 4-3 lead in the third inning when Kyle Meadows slammed a 3-run homer.

But Green tied the game with a run in the fourth inning and got another in the fifth inning to go up 5-4.

The Bobcats scored twice in the sixth inning and once in the seventh to lead 8-4. The Vikings managed to score a run in the bottom of the seventh inning to set the final score.

Chad Artrip went 4-for-4 for the Vikings.

Green plays at Beaver Eastern Friday in a league game.

Green0301121=8112

Sym. Valley1030001=554

Chase Higgins, Cory Burcham (3) and Justin Holland. Odie Kelley and Mark Castro. W-Kelley, 3-0 (9-K, 2-W). L-Burcham. 2B-Green: Mark Castro, Brad DeHart. HR-Green: Mark Castro; Symmes Valley: Kyle Meadows. Hitting-Green: Mark Castro 2-3, Odie Kelley 2-4, Brad DeHart 2-2, Derek Lewis 2-3; Symmes Valley: Chad Artrip 4-4, Kyle Meadows 1-4.