Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

LATHAM — New pitcher, same results.

The Symmes Valley Lady Vikings used a different pitcher but got a second straight strong performance as they beat the Western Lady Indians 9-1 on Tuesday in a Southern Ohio Conference game.

Kaitlyn Payne fired a one-hitter and struck out 14 in going the distance. She walked just one as she followed Stephanie Brown’s pitching effort on Monday.

“Our pitchers are coming on strong. They’re starting to hit their spots. Her control was real good,” said Lady Vikings’ coach Jeff “Odie” Estep.

Symmes Valley (2-0, 1-0) had eight hits led by Taylor Webb who went 4-for-4 including a pair of doubles off the fence. Sierra Ross added a home run.

The Lady Vikings snapped a scoreless tie with five runs in the third inning.

Breanna Morris singled and Brown hit into a fielder’s choice, but Webb doubled home the runner. Payne walked, both runners moved up on a wild pitch and Tiara Hatfield doubled them home.

Autumn Keathley then walked and the runners scored on series of wild pitches.

The lead went to 7-0 in the fourth.

Brown walked, Webb singled, a fielder’s choice moved the runners up, Tiara Hatfield was safe on an error for a run, and Keathley grounded out to score Webb.

A run scored in the sixth when Webb doubled, went to third on Payne’s fly out and scored when Hatfield was safe on an error.

Ross hit a solo home run in the seventh to cap the scoring.

Symmes Valley plays at Green on Friday.

Sym. Valley 005 201 1 = 9 8 1

Western 000 100 0 = 1 1 3

Kaitlyn Payne and Tiara Hatfield. Erin Brewster, Chrissy Woods (3) and Kylie Tong. W-Payne (K-14, BB-1). L-Brewster. Hitting–SV: Taylor Webb 4-4 2-2B, Breanna Morris 1-4, Sierra Ross 1-2 HR, Hatfield 1-4, Stephanie Brown 1-3; Western: Jordyn Haggy 1-3.