Vikings Are State Champs Again, Beat Elyria 7-0

Updated 11:49 am

The Vikings rushed the field in victory at Akron's Firestone Stadium after the final out in Saturday's game against Elyria, 7-0.

It is the third consecutive Division I state title Hoover has won and the team's seventh in the last 15 years.

Updated 11:34 am

Andrea Farrah hit a single to center field with two outs to drive in one run, after Lilley was intentionally walked. Dillow walked to load the bases leading to Thacker's shot to left bringing in two more runs in the bottom of the sixth.

Updated 11:20 am

Hoover's defense tightens up as the Vikings get three-straight outs in the top of the sixth, including a tough foul catch by catcher Coree DiLauro, hitting the backstop while making the out.

Updated 11:15 am

Elyria retires the side in the bottom of the fifth, still trails 3-0.

Updated 11:10 am

Thacker allowed a two-out single on a hard ground ball to right field. The next batter hit a hard line drive to centerfield but was caught in the top of the fifth inning.

Vikings lead 3-0.

Updated 11:04 am

Kaitlyn Eckelberry reached on a walk to start the bottom of the fourth inning, advancing to third on a DiPietro single.

Both runners scored on a triple to left field by Ally Farrah, who put one over a fallen fielder with two outs. Elyria intentionally walked Jenna Lilley followed by a walk for Andrea Farrah to load the bases.

DiPietro struck out looking to end the fourth inning.

Updated 10:52 am

Thacker walked her first batter, who reached second on a sacrifice bunt. A fielder's choice allowed the runner to reach third. That's as far as she'd get as Hoover retired three straight in the top of the fourth.

Hoover still leads 1-0.

Updated 10:44 am

Hoover's Mackenzie Dipietro reached after being hit by a pitch and scored on a single by Andrea Farrah up the middle. Kelly Dillow reached on a walk however, Thacker hit a line drive out to center field to end the inning.

Hoover leads after three innings 1-0.

Updated 10:35 am

Thacker allowed one walk in the top of the third and a single by Elyria's Holly Howser but was able to escape without allowing any runs.

Hoover bats at the top of the order in bottom third starting off with a hit batter.

Updated 10:17 a.m.

The score remains 0-0 after the first inning.

The Elyria Pioneers went three up, three down in the top of the first thanks to Vikings' pitching ace Tara Thacker.

Despite a pair of singles from Jenna Lilley and Andrea Farrah, the Vikings weren't able to put any runs on the board.

In the top of the second, Thacker once again retired the side.

One batter reached for Hoover on an error in the bottom of the second, but was left stranded. The score remains tied at 0-0.