Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

FRANKLIN FURNACE — The rookie looked like a veteran.

Freshman Kara Saunders pitched a four-hitter in her first varsity start as the Symmes Valley Lady Vikings blanked the Green Lady Bobcats 10-0 on Friday in a Southern Ohio Conference game.

Saunders struck out eight and walked one to get her first varsity win.

“Kara Saunders did a nice job keeping batters off-balance and throwing strikes,” said Lady Vikings’ coach Jeff “Odie” Estep.

“On the other side of the plate she was 3-for-4 so she had a good day.”

Symmes Valley (5-0, 2-0) had 15 hits led by Taylor Webb who went 3-for-4 with a home run and a double and three runs batted in.

Tiara Hatfield was 2-4 with a double and Hannah Mays was also 2-4.

“We hit the ball well but we didn’t bunch them together,” said Estep.

Webb got a one-out single, stole second, went to third on a throwing error and scored on a wild pitch to make it 1-0 in the first inning.

The lead went to 5-0 in the second.

Saunders singled, courtesy runner Stephanie Brown moved up on two wild pitches, Caitlin Crabtree walked, Sierra Ross reached on an error for a run, Crabtree scored on a wild pitch and Webb capped the rally with a two-run homer.

The Lady Vikings got a run in the third when Hatfield doubled and Saunders singled.

The lead went to 8-0 in the fourth. Ross singled, stole second and Webb doubled her home. Webb stole third and Hatfield hit a sacrifice fly.

A run scored in the fifth when Saunders singled, moved up on an outfield error and scored on a bunt hit by Hannah Mays.

Hannah Newcomb hit a leadoff home run in the seventh for the final run.

Symmes Valley visits Western on Monday.

Sym. Valley 141 210 1 = 10 15 1

Green 000 000 0 = 0 4 5

Kara Saunders and Tiara Hatfield. Bradley and Bradley. W-Saunders (K-8, BB-1). L-Bradley (K-7, BB-1). Hitting-SV: Kara Saunders 3-4, Taylor Webb 3-4 2B HR, Tiara Hatfield 2-4 2B SF, Hannah Mays 2-4, Hannah Newcomb 1-2 HR, Caitlin Carpenter 1-4, Sarah Kingery 1-4, Sierra Ross 1-4; Green: Hammonds 1-3, Hall 1-3, Gleim 1-3, Davis 1-2.