Staff Report

AID — An 11-run fourth inning allowed host Symmes Valley to turn a decent 4-0 lead through three complete into a convincing 15-0 mercy-rule decision Tuesday against South Gallia in both squads’ baseball season opener.

The Vikings (1-0) jumped out to a 2-0 lead after one inning of play, then plated two more runs in the bottom of the third to establish a four-run cushion on Rebel starter John Wells.

Then in the bottom of the fourth, SVHS pounded out nine of their 16 hits off Wells and reliever Micah Cardwell — resulting in an 11-run explosion. That would prove to be more than enough offense for the Red and Gray, who limited SGHS to just two hits over five innings of play.

Symmes Valley starter Jeremy Hatfield recorded 10 strikeouts and surrendered both Red and Gold hits over four innings of work, picking up the winning decision in the process. Reliever Robbie Powell struck out three of four hitters in the fifth to secure the double-digit outcome.

Wells, who ended up being the losing pitcher of record, and Justin Shelton had the lone hits for the Rebels — who fell to 0-1 overall this year. The Rebels had only three baserunners in the contest, and only one made it to second base.

Powell led the Vikings with three hits and four runs batted in. Tyler Eastham and Brice Sexton also chipped in three hits each, while Hatfield and Luke Taylor both provided two apiece.

South Gallia returns to action Thursday when it hosts Huntington St. Joseph in the Rebels’ 2008 home opener. The first pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m.

Symmes Valley 15, South Gallia 0

S Gallia 000 00 — 0 2 2

S Valley 202 (11)x — 15 16 1

SGHS (0-1): John Wells, Micah Cardwell (4) and B.J. Stanley.

SVHS (1-0): Jeremy Hatfield, Robbie Powell (5) and Cody Bland.

WP — Hatfield; LP — Wells.

HR — SV: Cody Bland, Robbie Powell.