Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

AID — As it turned out, it didn’t matter if it was Chayden Renfroe or Laykin Gothard.

Neither pitcher gave up a hit as the duo combined on a five-inning no-hitter and the Symmes Valley Vikings blanked the South Gallia Rebels 10-0 in the Division IV sectional tournament semifinals on Saturday.

“We didn’t play bad and we hit the ball decent. We need to play a little better on Tuesday,” Vikings’ coach Chad Renfroe as his team advances to play at Waterford in the sectional title game at 5 p.m.

“Chayden and Laykin both threw the ball well and we were able to keep their pitch count down. Waterford is a good team and we’ll need to have everyone ready to go.”

Symmes Valley (7-11) had eight hits with Gothard going 3-4, Shawn Belville 2-3 and Payton Hayes 2-4.

The Vikings took a 1-0 lead in the first inning as Gothard singled, moved to second on an error, stole third and scored when Jase Patterson hit a sacrifice fly.

The lead went to 2-0 in the second.

Renfroe reached on an error, took second on a fielder’s choice, took third on a passed ball and scored when Blake Bowen hit into a fielder’s choice.

Symmes Valley pushed across four runs in the third inning.

Gothard singled, stole second and Hayes singled him home. Cameron Meadows walked and Shawn Belville singled in a pair. Derek Brace later walked with the bases loaded to force in a run.

The lead went to 9-0 in the fourth.

Hayes singled, stole second and scored on Belville’s double. Renfroe walked, both runners moved up on a passed ball and Nick Klaiber reached on an error for a run.

The Vikings ended the game in the fifth when Brace reached on an error, Gothard and Meadows singled to load the bases and a passed ball sent home Brace.

South Gallia is now 1-19.

South Gallia 000 00 = 0 0 4

Sym. Valley 114 31 = 10 8 0

Kyler Mills and Bryan. Chayden Renfroe, Laykin Gothard (4) and Cameron Meadows. W-Renfroe (IP-3, K-3, BB-1). Gothard (IP-2, K-4, BB-2). Hitting-SV: Ladykin Gothard 3-4, Payton Hayes 2-4, Cameron Meadows 1-2, Shawn Belville 2-3.