Bland's home run, 5 RBI's leads Lady Vikings in win over Ashland

AID — Brenna Tibbs threw a one-hitter and hit a home run. And yet, it was still somewhat of a Bland performance.

While Tibbs was doing her part, Maci Bland went 3-for-5 with a double, a home run and drove in five runs as the Symmes Valley Lady Vikings blanked the Ashland Kittens 10-0 in a five-inning run rule game on Thursday.

Tibbs struck out 10 and walked one in getting the win. She threw 48 strikes among her 73 pitches.

“That was a great win for us,” said Lady Vikings’ coach Jeff “Odie” Estep. “Our kids did a phenomenal job at the plate tonight showing patience and hitting the ball hard.

“Then, Brenna (Tibbs) pitched a great game and the defense backed her up.”

The Lady Vikings took a 2-0 lead in the first inning when Bland walked, Marley Ferguson singled and Alyssa Waugh had a two-out, 2-run double.

The lead went to 5-0 in the second inning.

“Alyssa’s hit in the first really set the tone from there. Then Maci comes up and hits a shot over the fence and everything just kept rolling from there,” said Estep.

Natalie Simpson and Lydia Saunders each drew a one-out walk, TIbbs hit into a fielder’s choice but Bland followed with a 3-run home run.

The Lady Vikings (19-2) opened up a 9-0 lead with 4 runs in the third inning.

Kaycee Thompson reached on an error, Waugh hit into a force out, Addy Hawk singled, Addi Ridenour hit into a force out, Simpson singled and Saunders walked to force in a run.

Following a scoreless fourth inning, the Lady Vikings ended the game in the fifth inning with one out as Tibbs slammed a home run to center field.

Ashland (14-5) got its only hit in the third inning when Brookleyn Duckwyler beat out and infield single.

The hit was sandwiched around Ashley Ingram and Jenna Delaney being hit by a pitch to load the bases.

Tibbs struck out the next batter but a dropped third strike sent Ingram racing home from third base only to have Tibbs tag her out on a bang-bang play at the plate.

Tibbs was 1-2 with the home run and 2 RBI, Hawk, Ferguson and Thompson 1-3, Waugh 1-3 with 2 RBI, and Simpson 1-2.

Ashland 000 00 = 0 1 2

Sym. Valley 234 01 = 10 8 0

Riley Harmon, Addi Laine (3) and Brookleyn Duckwyler. Brenna Tibbs and Kaycee Thompson. W-TIbbs (IP-5.0, H-1, R-0, K-10, BB-1). L-Harmon (IP-2.2, H-6, R-9, ER-5, K-0, BB-5). Laine (IP-1.2, H-2, R-2, ER-1, K-3, BB-0). Hitting–Ashland: Brookleyn Duckwyler 1-3; Symmes Valley: Brenna Tibbs 1-2 HR 2-RBI, Maci Bland 2-2 2B HR 5-RBI, Marley Ferguson 1-3, Kaycee Thompson 1-3, Alyssa Waugh 1-3 2B 2-RBI, Addy Hawk 1-3, Natalie Simpson 1-2, Lydia Saunders RBI