COAL GROVE — The River Valley softball team earned its first Ohio Valley Conference win of the season Thursday night with a 5-4 win over Coal Grove. The Lady Raiders edged the Lady Hornets after playing eight innings in Lawrence County.

River Valley (3-12, 1-4 OVC) got on the board first with a run in the top of the opening frame, but Coal Grove answered with a run in the home half of the inning to tie it up. After two scoreless frames the Lady Raiders broke through again with a run in the top of the fourth. Once again Coal Grove answered and tied the game with a run in the bottom of the fourth.

River Valley regained the lead with a run in the top of the fifth and held the lead until the bottom of the sixth when the Lady Hornets scored two and grabbed third first lead of the night.

RVHS tied the game up with a two-out RBI single by Noel Mershon that would eventually force extra innings. The Lady Raiders manufactured a run in the top of the eighth and held CGHS in the home half to secure the 5-4 victory.

Noel Mershon was the winning pitcher after striking out six while giving up four runs on five hits and three walks.

Coal Grove’s Kelci Grove was credited with the loss after striking out five and walking three.

Libby Leach and Ashley Morgan led RVHS with two hits apiece while Noel Mershon, Ciara Layne, Chelsea Copley, Ashley Cheesebrew, Amanda Eddy, and Alexis Hurt each had one hit.

Coal Grove finished with five players each having one hit.

The Lady Raiders return to action Monday when they travel to face OVC opponent Fairland at 5 p.m.