Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

AID — As the Beatles once sang, “It’s Getting Better All The Time.”
It was a lot better on Thursday for the St. Joseph Flyers.
The Flyers seem to be getting a little better each game including a 22-7 win over the Symmes Valley Vikings.
“We’re a young team and each game we’ve seen a little more improvement. I’m proud of the effort and grittiness each day,” said Flyers’ coach Greg Bryant.
“We’re doing a better job putting the ball in play. Max Weber had three hits and a sacrifice fly. Isaac (Whaley) didn’t have his best stuff but he kept us in the game until we were able to expand the lead and get the game under control.”
Symmes Valley took a 5-0 lead after two innings but then the Flyers erupted for nine runs in the third inning with the help of four walks and two hit batters.
Trae Crabtree hit a sacrifice fly, Chase Wilds was safe on an error for a run, J.C. Damron had an RBI single, and Whaley had the key hit with a three-run double with two outs.
After the Vikings got two runs in the fourth to make it 9-7, the Flyers scored six runs in the fifth to lead 15-7.
Damron, Rowe and Willis all walked and Whaley singled in a run. Walters was hit by a pitch and Crabtree reached on a fielder’s choice.
Wilds walked to force in Izsak Unger who was pinch-running. Damron singled in a run
The Flyers put the game out of reach with seven runs in the sixth.
Walters doubled and Whaley doubled in a pair, Crabtree had an RBI single, Wilds singled, and then Max Weber, Jimmy Mahlmister, Jacob Salisbury and Clay Willis all followed with RBI singles.
The Flyers visits Maysville St. Patrick at 11 a.m. on Saturday.
St. Joseph 009 067 = 22 17 1
Sym. Valley 230 200 = 7 7 2
Isaac Whaley, Jackson Rowe (5) and Jimmy Mahlmeister. Layken Gothard, Devin Renfroe (3), Brad Carpenter (4), Reed (5) and Derik Brace. W-Whaley (K-7, BB-4, H-6, R-7, ER-5). Save-Rowe (IP-2.0, H-1, K2, BB-1). L-Renfroe. Hitting-SJ: Isaac Whaley 4-5 2-2B, Max Weber 3-3, Chase Walters 2-4 2B, J.C. Damron 2-3, Jackson Rowe 1-2, Jacob Salisbury 1-2, Clay Willis 1-3, Trae Crabtree 1-4, Chase Wilds 1-4, Jimmy Mahlmeister 1-3; SV: Austin Mannon 2-3, Layken Gothard 1-2 2B, Derik Brace 1-3, Nick Klaiber 1-3 2B, Hunter Adams 1-3, Devin Renfroe 1-2.