Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

CHILLICOTHE — It ended too soon.
A great season that could have been just a little better ended prematurely for the Green Bobcats who fell 10-0 in five innings to the Southern Tornadoes on Tuesday in the Division IV district semifinals.
Green came into the game 21-3 with a third straight Southern Ohio Conference championship — shared with Portsmouth Clay — and seeking a win to advance to a third straight district title game.
But it wasn’t a typical Green Bobcats game this time that players, fans and coaches had seen all season.
The Bobcats made three costly errors and walked an uncharacteristic eight batters.
Southern (17-7) took a 2-0 lead in the first inning thanks to a pair of Green errors.
Logan Drummer singled in a run and Noah Diddle had a two-run singled as the Tornadoes extended the lead to 5-0 in the second inning.
The lead went to 7-0 in the fourth with the aid of an error and a passed ball.
Southern ended the game early in the fifth on a bases-loaded walk and a two-run single by Gage Shuler.
Green was held to three hits with Tanner Kimbler going 2-3 with a double. Mason Barber was 1-2.
The game marked the end of Bobcat careers for Tayte Carver, Bryce Ponn and Kimbler. However, the three seniors will play together again next season after the trio signed letters-of-intent with Shawnee State.
Green 000 00 = 0 3 3
Southern 230 23 = 10 7 0
Tanner Kimbler, Tayte Carver (4) and Mason Barber. Billy Harmon, Jensen Anderson (4) and Gage Shuler, Billy Harmon (4). W-Harmon (IP-3.0, K-2, BB-1, H-3). Anderson (IP-2.0, K-3, BB-4, H-0). L-Kimbler (IP-3.1, R-7, ER-2, H-5, K-1, BB-5). Carver (IP-0.2, R-3, ER-3, H-2, K-0, BB-3). Hitting-Green: Tanner Kimbler 2-3 2B, Mason Barber 1-2; RS: Logan Drummer 2-2 2-rbi, Noah Diddle 2-3 2-rbi, Gage Shuler 1-3 2-rbi, Ryan Acree 1-3, Jensen Anderson 2-rbi.