Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

AID — After a series of easy wins, the Symmes Valley Vikings found a tough opponent and faced a tough situation.

But the Vikings rose to the occasion and got three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to beat the Portsmouth Notre Dame Titans 9-6 on Friday in a pivotal Southern Ohio Conference game.

“We got the lead and they came back to tie the game. We got tested and we fought back which was good to see,” said Vikings’ coach Chad Renfroe. “This was a good game for us.”

Symmes Valley is now 13-1 overall and 9-1 in the SOC.

The Vikings took a 1-0 lead in the first inning when Payton Hayes reached on an error, McFann singled and Cameron Meadows hit into a fielder’s choice.

Symmes Valley opened up a 6-0 lead in the fourth.

Thompson reached on catcher’s interference, Tylor Carpenter singled, Chayden Renfroe walked and Hayes was safe on an error for a run.

McFann walked to force in a run, Tanner Mays had a two-run single and two passed balls scored two runs.

Notre Dame scored three runs in the fifth and sixth innings to tie the game, but the Vikings answered with three runs in the bottom of the sixth for the win.

Mays and McFann walked, Carpenter put down a sacrifice bunt and Meadows was intentionally walked to load the bases and set up a force play.

But Thompson crossed up the strategy with an RBI single for the lead. Two insurance runs scored on a pair of passed balls.

McFann was 2-for-2 as the Vikings had five hits to go with nine walks.

McFann also got the win in relief of Mays. He worked two innings striking out four and allowing three hits and three runs, none of which were earned.

The Vikings play at Portsmouth Clay on Monday.

Notre Dame 000 033 0 = 6 7 2

Sym. Valley 100 503 x = 9 5 3

C.J. Corns, Drew Cassidy (4) and Sam Kayser. Tanner Mays, Dillon McFann (6) and Cameron Meadows. W-McFann (IP-2, K-4, BB-0, H-3, R-3, ER-0). Mays (IP-5, K-8, BB-4, H-4, R-3, ER-3). L-Cassidy. Hitting—ND: Hayden Baker 2-3, Tyler Speas 2-4 2-2B, Chase Rodriguez 1-4, Drew Cassidy 2-4; SV: Dillon McFann 2-2, Tanner Mays 1-2, Trent Thompson 1-3, Tylor Carpenter 1-2.