Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

PEDRO — Big innings meant a big start for the Symmes Valley Lady Vikings.

The Lady Vikings used an 8-run inning to win the first game and a 9-run inning for a second mercy rule win in their second game at the Rock Hill Queen of the Hill Classic on Saturday to open the season.

“The kids played well for the first time out. They hit the ball well and played exceptionally well defensively,” said Lady Vikings’ coach Jeff “Odie” Estep.

“Payne threw the ball well in the first game and (Sarah) Kingery did a good job in relief in the second game for a freshman in her first time out.”

Kaitlyn Payne tossed a four-hitter as Symmes Valley beat the Portsmouth Lady Trojans 11-1 in five innings. She struck out 11 and did not issue a walk.

Taylor Webb had a big game at the plate for the Lady Vikings. She was 3-4 with two triples. Kara Saunders was 2-3 while Tiara Hatfield and Payne were 2-4.

Webb singled with one out, stole second and third and scored on hit by Payne as the Lady Vikings took a 1-0 lead in the first inning.

Semajah Parker homered for Portsmouth in the second to tie the game, but the Lady Vikings went up for good at 2-1 in the third when Webb tripled and Payne hit a sacrifice fly.

The Lady Vikings erupted for eight runs in the fourth on two Portsmouth errors and RBI singles by Payne, Caitlin Carpenter, Kingery and Saunders.

In the fifth, Payne reached on a fielder’s choice and came home on a double by Hatfield to end the game.

Kingery pitched three innings of relief to get the win in the nightcap.

South Point took a 3-0 lead in the top of the first on a double, three walks, a hit batsman and a sacrifice fly.

The Lady Vikings got a run back in the bottom of the inning when Webb singled, stole second and third and scored on a wild pitch.

In the fourth, Payne singled and Hatfield had an RBI double. Ross singled in a run, stole second and scored on a hit by Kingery and it was 4-3.

The Lady Vikings then scored nine times in the fifth.

Webb and Payne hit back-to-back home runs to start the uprising. Hatfield singled, Carpenter and Ross were safe on errors and Kingery and Saunders had an RBI singles.

Brown tripled home two runs, Webb walked and a wild pitch scored Brown. Hatfield singled home Webb to end the game.

Hatfield went 3-4 while Brown, Webb, Payne and Kingery were all 2-3.

Haley Rawlins and Jamishua Anderson doubled for South Point.

Symmes Valley hosts Chesapeake on Monday.

Portsmouth 010 00 = 1 4 6

Sym. Valley 101 81 = 11 11 0

Andi Queen and Bailey Horsley. Kaitlyn Payne and Tiara Hatfield. W-Payne (K-11, BB-0). L-Queen. Hitting-Portsmouth: Semajah Parker 2-2 HR, Bailey Horsley 1-2 2B, Baleigh Bradley 1-2; SV: Taylor Webb 3-4 2-3B, Kaitlyn Payne 2-4, Tiara Hatfield 2-4, Kara Saunders 2-3, Caitlin Carpenter 1-3, Sarah Kingery 1-3.

Second Game

South Point 300 00 = 3 5 4

Sym. Valley 100 39 = 13 14 0

Abbey Hannah Emilee Powell. Stephanie Brown, Sarah Kingery (3) and Tiara Hatfield. W-Kingery (K-3, BB-0). Brown (K-1 BB-5). L-Hannah. Hitting-SP: Allard 1-3, Haley Rawlins 1-2 2B, Jamishua Anderson 1-2 2B, Sophia Morrison 1-2, Emilee Powell 1-1; SV: Tiara Hatfield 3-4, Stephanie Brown 2-3, Taylor Webb 2-3 HR, Kaitlyn Payne 2-3 HR, Sarah Kingery 2-3, Kara Saunders 1-3, Sierra Ross 1-3.