Eagles edge Vikings in district semifinals

Published 12:00 am Sunday, May 29, 2005

RIO GRANDE - The Symmes Valley Vikings had an equilibrium problem.

The Viking hitters had trouble adjusting to the pitching style of Ryan Smith as they lost a 2-1 heartbreaker to Reedsville Eastern Tuesday in the Division IV district semifinals at the University of Rio Grande.

"We made contact, (Smith) just had our guys off-balance enough that we couldn't get a solid hit ball," Vikings coach John Patterson said. "Higgins and Burcham did a good job for us limiting them to just two runs."

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Chase Higgins went the first four innings and took the loss. Cory Burcham finished up. They combined for two strikeouts, two walks and two earned runs.

Smith allowed just two hits, struck out six and walked only one. The run was unearned.

The Vikings got the lead in the first inning.

Burcham singled to start the game, went to second base on a passed ball, took third on a fly ball by Matt Owens and scored when Kyle Meadows' third strike went to the backstop.

Eastern tied the game when Smith walked, Matt Morris doubled him to third base and Dustin Riggs put down a bunt that was misplayed for a hit and Smith scored.

The Eagles got the winning run in the third inning.

Myers walked, stole second base, moved to third base on a passed ball and came home on a sacrifice fly by Corey Shaffer.

The Vikings never threatened the rest of the game.

Patterson said the pitching and defense were excellent despite the loss.

"Matt Owens had a great game in center field. He made a couple of great catches to save us a few runs," Patterson said.

The Vikings finished the season 11-8.

Reedsville Eastern, 19-5, meets Leesburg Friday at Lucasville Valley.

The game was played in one hour and 14 minutes.

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Chase Higgins, Cory Burcham (5) and Justin Holland. Ryan Smith and Terry Durst. W-Smith (6-K, 1-BB, 0-ER). L-Higgins (1-K, 2-BB, 2-ER). Burcham 1-K, 0-BB. 2B-Reedsville: Morris, Shaffer. Hitting-Symmes Valley: Cory Burcham 1-3, Jesse Myers 1-2; Reedsville: Chris Myers 1-3, Corey Shaffer 1-3, Ken Amsbary 1-3, Terry Durst 1-3, Ryan Smith 1-3, Joel Lynch 1-3, Dustin Riggs 1-3.