Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

AID — Pitching and defense will carry you through the tough times.
The combined pitching of Payton Hayes and Nick Klaiber along with good defense helped the Symmes Valley Vikings edge the St. Joseph Flyers 5-4 on Tuesday.
Hayes worked 4.2 innings and gave up four hits while Klabier finished up for the save while the defense made just one error.
“Defensively we played pretty well. We didn’t hit the ball that well or get many timely hits, but we didn’t strike out as much so we’re making progress,” said Vikings’ coach Chad Renfroe.
“We need to pick it up a little at the plate right now. When you haven’t played for a couple of years, that’s the last thing that comes around.”
St. Joseph took a 1-0 lead in the second when Clay Willis walked, stole second and Peyton Adkins singled.
The Vikings took a 2-1 lead in the third. Austin Waugh singled, Laykin Gothard singled and Hayes doubled them home.
St. Joseph tied the game in the fourth when Adkins walked, stole second and Andrew Lawson singled him home.
The Vikings took the lead for good with three runs in the bottom of the fourth.
Waugh and Gothard reached on errors, Hayes had an RBI single, a fielder’s choice scored a run and Forest Humphrey had a run-scoring single to cap the rally.
The Flyers got a run back in the fifth when Butler walked, moved up on a passed ball and Zack McGraw singled.
The final run scored in the sixth on an RBI single by Chase Walters after Isaac Whaley walked, Butler hit into a fielder’s choice and McGraw hit by a pitch.
Walters was the tough-luck losing pitcher. He struck out three, walked two and all three runs he allowed were unearned.
Hayes was 2-3 with a double to lead the Vikings (3-1).
McGraw went 2-2 for the Flyers (0-3).
Symmes Valley goes to Green on Wednesday for a Southern Ohio Conference game. St. Joseph visits Raceland on Thursday.
St. Joseph    010    111    0    =    4    6    3
Sym. Valley    002    300    x    =    5    8    1
Chase Wilds, Chase Walters (3) and Zack McGraw. Payton Hayes, Nick Klaiber (5) and Derek Brace. W-Hayes (IP-4.2, H-4, K-3, BB-7). Save-Klaiber (IP-2-1, R-1, H-1, K-2, BB-1, HBP-1). L-Walters (IP-4.0, H-5, R-3, ER-0, K-3, BB-2). Wilds (IP-2.0, H-3, R-2, K-2, BB-2). Hitting-St. Joe: Zack McGraw 2-2, Chase Walters 1-4, Peyton Adkins 1-3, Trey Ward 1-3, Andrew Lawson 1-3; SV: Laykin Gothard 1-4, Payton Hayes 2-3 2B, Chayden Renfroe 1-3 2B, Forest Humphrey 1-3, Derek Brace 1-1, Hunter Adams 1-3, Austin Waugh 1-3.