Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

AID — A couple of neighbor schools had a little backyard battle.

The Symmes Valley Lady Vikings squeaked out a 2-1 win over the Fairland Lady Dragons on Tuesday in a non-league game.

“Both teams put the ball in play and the defense was pretty darn good. They had a couple of lapses in two innings and we took advantage of it. It was a well-played game,” said Lady Vikings’ coach Jeff “Odie” Estep.

Stephanie Brown went three innings before Kaitlyn Payne finished to get the win.

Payne fanned five, walked one and did not give up a hit. Brown gave up four hits, fanned two and walked two.

Allison Shepherd went the distance for Fairland as she struck out four and did not walk a batter.

Taylor Webb and Tiara Hatfield each went 2-for-3 for Symmes Valley (19-3).

Ellen Hinshaw hit a solo home run in the top of the first inning to give Fairland a 1-0 lead.

The Lady Vikings tied the game in the bottom of the frame when Webb singled, took second on an error, stole third and came home when Payne was safe on an error.

The winning run scored in the sixth with one out.

Payne was safe on an error, took second on another error, stole third and scored on a double by Hatfield.

The Lady Vikings host Green on Wednesday.

Fairland 100 000 0 = 1 4 4

Sym. Valley 100 001 x = 2 7 0

Allison Shepherd and Morgan Fridley. Stephanie Brown, Kaitlyn Payne (4) and Tiara Hatfield. W-Payne (K-5, BB-1, H-0). Brown (IP-3, K-2, BB-2, H-4, ER-1). L-Shepherd (K-4, BB-0). Hitting—FHS: Caitlin Stone 1-3, Ellen Hinshaw 1-3 HR, Maddy Kazee 1-3, Morgan Fridley 1-3; SV: Taylor Webb 2-3, Kaitlyn Payne 1-3, Tiara Hatfield 2-3, Sierra Ross 1-3, Hannah Mays 1-2.