RIO GRANDE — Hard work does pay off.

The Symmes Valley Vikings’ hard work has been the difference as they continue their run through the postseason tournament.

The Vikings had 13 hits to back the one-hit pitching of Jeremy Hatfield in a 10-0 five-inning win over the Trimble Tomcats on Friday in the Division IV district championship game.

“We’ve been hitting the ball pretty good the last few weeks. These kids are working hard. I’ve never been around a harder working group than these kids,” said Vikings’ coach Chad Renfroe.

Hatfield struck out 10 in the five innings. He walked one and the only hit was a first inning single.

“This is the best game I’ve seen Hatfield throw. He pretty much dominated,” said Renfroe.

Symmes Valley (17-2) plays Toronto at 5 p.m. on Thursday at Beavers Field in Lancaster.

The Vikings jumped in front 3-0 in the first inning.

Tyler Easthom singled, Robbie Powell walked and Cody Bland singled to load the bases. Hatfield singled in a run and Ethan Wilson had a two-run single.

The Vikings put the game away with a seven-run outburst in the third inning.

Powell singled and Bland hit a two-run homer to make it 5-0.

Hatfield singled and Luke Taylor doubled to put runners at second and third. Dustin Wilson doubled those two runners home and J.J. Huff, Easthom and Powell followed with RBI doubles.

Powell was 2-3 while Bland, Hatfield and Easthom were 2-4 to pace the Vikings’ offense.

Symmes Valley 307 00 = 10 13 2

Trimble 000 00 = 0 1 0

Jeremy Hatfield and Cody Bland. Chester and Cruse. W-Hatfield (10-K, 1-BB). L-Chester (4 IP, 12-H, 4-K, 3-HBP, 1-BB). 2B-SV: Tyler Easthom, Robbie Powell, Luke Taylor, Dustin Wilson, J.J. Huff. HR-SV: Cody Bland. Hitting-Symmes Valley: Tyler Easthom 2-4, Robbie Powell 2-3, Bland 2-4, Hatfield 2-4, Taylor 1-3, Ethan Wilson 1-2, Dustin Wilson 1-2, J.J. Huff 1-3; Trimble: Mulford 1-2.