LANCASTER — It’s that old fishing story turned baseball. You should have seen the one that got away.

Early struggles and late missed opportunities were too much for Symmes Valley to overcome as the Vikings lost 7-6 in eight inning to the Toronto Red Knights Friday in the Division IV regional semifinals.

“We had our chances. We had a couple of baserunners here and there and if we get a hit, we might have gotten another run,” said Vikings’ coach Chad Renfroe. “We didn’t play our best, but our kids fought.”

Mike Radvansky worked the final five innings to get the win for Toronto. He struck out 10, walked two, gave up three hits and allowed one run.

Jeremy Hatfield went one and one-third innings for the Vikings before Robbie Powell came on to finish. Powell took the loss even though he allowed just two runs — one earned — along with four hits and four walks in 6.2 innings. He struck out seven and hit a batter.

“Hatfield’s arm was bothering him. He’s been bothered by his arm off and on all season,” said Renfroe. “Robbie came on and threw a heck of a game. He really came on this year.

“Radvansky was the best pitcher we’ve seen all year. Toronto was a solid team.”

The Red Knights got three runs in the first inning on two walks, an error, a hit batsman and two hits. The came back with two more runs in the second inning on two walks, a hit batsman and a double by Mike Garman.

Symmes Valley got a run back in the bottom of the second on a single by Ethan Wilson and a double by Dustin Wilson.

The Vikings closed the gap to 5-4 in the third inning on a three-run double by Ethan Wilson after Powell and Hatfield walked and Luke Taylor was hit by a pitch to load the bases.

Each team got a run in the fourth inning to make it 6-5.

Radvinsky and Caleb Zeigler both reached on errors and Tyler Butler singled for Toronto’s run.

Cody Myers walked and Gage Patterson, Tyler Eathom and Hatfield all singled in the Vikings’ half of the inning.

Symmes Valley tied the game in the seventh inning.

Hatfield singled but was forced out by Taylor. A passed ball sent Taylor to second base and he scored on a two-out single by Dustin Wilson.

“We had some clutch hits. We just needed one more big play,” said Renfroe.

The winning run scored in the top of the eighth.

Radvansky singled but was forced out by Zeigler. But Zeigler stole second base and scored on a hit by Butler.

In the regional title game on Saturday, Newark Catholic routed Toronto 11-2.

Friday’s game marked the end of the Viking careers for seniors Cody Bland, Jeremy Hatfield, Gage Patterson, Robbie Powell, Dustin Wilson, J.J. Huff and Ethan Wilson.

The Vikings ended the season 17-3.

“Our seniors gave 110 percent. We won a lot

of ballgames in my two years. They’ve meant a lot to this program. This senior class has a lot of talent,” said Renfroe.

Toronto 320 100 01 = 7 7 2

Sym. Valley 013 100 10 = 6 8 3

Mike Garman, Caleb Zeigler (4), Mike Radvansky (4) and Tyler Butler. Jeremy Hatfield, Robbie Powell (2) and Cody Bland. W-Radvansky (5-IP, 3-H, 1-R, 10-K, 2-BB). L-Powell (6.2 IP, 4-H, 2-R, 1-ER, 4-H, 7-K, 4-BB, 1-HBP). Hatfield 1.1 IP, 5-R,5-ER, 3-H, 4-BB, 1-HBP. Garman 3-IP, 4-R, 3-H, 3-K, 3-BB. Zeigler 0 IP, 1-R, 1-BB, 2-H. 2B-Symmes Valley: Ethan Wilson, Dustin Wilson; Toronto: Mike Garman, Caleb Zeigler. Hitting-Symmes Valley: Tyler Easthom 1-5, Jeremy Hatfield 2-3, Ethan Wilson 2-4, Dustin Wilson 2-4, Gage Patterson 1-3; Toronto: Mike Garman 1-4, Mike Radvansky 2-4, Caleb Zeigler 1-3, Jordan Cooper 1-4, Tyler Butler 2-4.