AID — That’s why they play seven innings.

The Symmes Valley Lady Vikings used the bottom of the seventh inning twice Saturday to rally for wins as they beat Russell (Ky.) 4-2 and Dublin Jerome 3-2.

“We took both of the games down to the wire,” Lady Vikings coach Jeff “Odie” Estep said. “The girls showed a lot of heart to win both games in the last inning. Both games were well-played and well-pitched.”

In the first game, Emily Bowling hit a two-run homer to left field after a double by Mandi Estep to snap a 2-2 tie and give Symmes Valley the win.

Russell had scored single runs in the first and second innings to take a 2-0 lead.

The Lady Vikings got a run back in the bottom of the second without the aid of a hit.

Libby Ash walked with one out. Haley Pelletier walked and Katherine Myers reached on an error. A throwing error on the same play allowed Ash to score.

Megan Coomes hit a solo home run over the fence in center field to tie the game in the third inning.

Estep relieved Ash in the sixth inning and got the win.

In the second game, Estep went the distance to get another win. She struck out seven and walked one while allowing six hits.

Dublin Jerome scored single runs in the first and third innings to go up 2-0.

The Lady Vikings cut the deficit in half in the six on a home run by Bowling.

In the seventh inning, Coomes drew a leadoff walk and Tasha Pointer hit into a fielder’s choice as both runners reached safely.

Ash singled to drive in the tying run and Kayla Justice walked to load the bases. Pelletier singled up the middle to score Pointer with the winning run.

Symmes Valley hosts Portsmouth East Monday in a Southern Ohio Conference game.

First Game

Russell1100000=262

Sym. Valley0110002=442

Adkins and Fosson. Libby Ash, Mandi Estep (6) and Megan Coomes. W-Estep (2-K, 0-BB, 1-H). Ash 0-K, 1-BB, 5-H. L-Adkisn (8-K, 4-BB). 2B-Russell: Adkins, Houston; Symmes Valley: Mandi Estep, Emily Bowling. HR-Symmes Valley: Megan Coomes, Emily Bowling. Hitting-Russell: Houston 2-3, Adkisn 1-3, Sparks 1-3, Tabler 1-3, Perkins 1-3, Simpson 1-3; Symmes Valley: Emily Bowling 2-3, Mandi Estep 1-1, Megan Coomes 1-3.

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Second Game

Jerome1010000=262

Sym. Valley0000012=363

Russell and Kasper. Mandi Estep and Megan Coomes. W-Estep (7-K, 1-BB). L-Russell (4-K, 2-BB). 2B-SYmmes Valley: Mandi Estep. HR-Symmes Valley: Emily Bowling. Hitting-Dublin Jerome: Kratzenberg 2-4, Russell 2-4, Wheeler 1-3, Pircilla 1-3; Symmes Valley: Haley Pelletier 2-3, Libby Ash 1-3, Rebecca Capper 1-3, Emily Bowling 1-3, Mandi Estep 1-3.