Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

AID — Memorial Day is a month away, but the Symmes Valley Lady Vikings decided to have a hit parade on Wednesday.
The Lady Vikings banged out 17 hits en route to an 11-1 five-inning win over the New Boston Lady Tigers in a Southern Ohio Conference game.
“We hit the ball and played good defense. Sarah did a nice job keeping the ball down. We played really well,” said Lady Vikings’ coach Jeff “Odie” Estep.
The leader of the band was the Lady Vkings’ Kara Saunders who was 2-4 with a double and a grand slam homer. She drove in five runs.
Sarah Kingery not only got the pitching win but went 3-3 with a double. Rachael Hayes and Emily Estep both went 3-4.
After New Boston got a run in the top of the first inning, the Lady Vikings tied the game in the bottom of the inning.
Taylor Webb reached on a fielder’s choice, stole second and scored on Ericca Ross’ base hit.
Symmes Valley (12-3) erupted for six runs in the second with two outs.
Kingery walked, Kelsey Gothard singled, Webb walked and Saunders cranked a grand slam.
Ross walked, Hayes singled, both moved up on a wild pitch and Estep had a two-run single.
The Lady Vikings added a run in the third on a double by Kingery, a wild pitch and Webb’s fielder’s choice.
Symmes Valley ended the game with three runs in the fifth.
Kingery singled, took second a wild pitch and scored on Webb’s base hit. Saunders doubled home Webb and then Hayes and Estep singled to drive in the clinching run.
New Boston 100 00 = 1 1 2
Sym. Valley 161 03 = 11 17 1
T. Hickman and M. Rawlins. Sarah Kingery and Ericca Ross. W-Kingery (K-6, BB-3). L-Hickman Hitting-NB: Helpenstein 1-2; SV: Sarah Kingery 3-3 2B, Kara Saunders 2-4 2B GS 5-rbi, Rachael Hayes 3-4, Emily Estep 3-4 3-rbi, Taylor Webb 1-3, Kelsey Gothard 1-3, Morgan Jenkins 1-1, Emily Sharp 1-3 2B.