Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

PEDRO — The Rock Hill Redwomen didn’t have many hits, but fortunately their pitcher gave up even less.

Sami Nixon pitched a one-hitter while the Redwomen had just four hits but took advantage of 10 walks and two hit batsmen to blank the Coal Grove Lady Hornets 10-0 in five innings on Tuesday in the Division III sectional tournament.

Nixon struck out 11 of the 15 outs and did not walk a batter in getting the win.

“Sami pitched really well and we play good defense,” said Rock Hill coach Mary Jane Harper.

“We didn’t have a lot of hits, but we got them when we needed them.”

Brooke Hanshaw, Kenzi Martin, Lindy Simpson and Riann Keating each had a hit for Rock Hill (14-8). Deanna Bentley had the lone Coal Grove hit.

The Redwomen scored three runs in the first inning.

Nixon and Hanshaw walked and Martin had an RBI single to score courtesy runner Emmalee Ellis. Simpson walked to load the bases and Lily McGinnis walked to force in a run. A wild pitch scored the third run.

The lead went to 8-0 in the third inning.

Kaelynn Ellis walked, Simpson singled and McGinnis had a sacrifice bunt. A wild pitch scored Ellis.

Sami Dillon and Brooke Eastham walked and Jenna Lane reached on an error as a run scored. Nixon walked and Hanshaw had a two-run single.

Rock Hill created the mercy rule with two runs in the fourth.

Kaelynn Ellis and McGinnis were hit by pitches and Keating ripped a two-run double.

Rock Hill visits Fairland on Wednesday in an Ohio Valley Conference game and hosts Portsmouth on Friday at 5 p.m. in the sectional finals.

Coal Grove 000 00 = 0 1 1

Rock Hill 305 2x = 10 4 0

Brooke Blakeman and Kaitlynn Murphy. Sami Nixon and Brooke Eastham, Riann Keating (4). W-Nixon (K-11, BB-0). L-Blakeman (K-2, BB-10, HBP-2). 2B-RH: Riann Keating. Hitting-CG: Deanna Bentley 1-2; RH: Brooke Hanshaw 1-2, Kenzi Martin 1-3, Lindy Simpson 1-2, Riann Keating 1-1.