Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

PEDRO — If the keys to winning a baseball game are pitching and defense, the Rock Hill Redmen had their key ring full.

Jonathan Joseph pitched a four-hitter as the defense didn’t make an error as the Redmen slipped past the Portsmouth Trojans 2-1 to win the Division III sectional tournament on Saturday.

“Defensively and pitching-wise we did well. Joseph kept them off-balance at the plate. We hit the ball hard. We just didn’t get the key hit,” said Rock Hill coach Barry Litteral.

Joseph struck out 11 and walked three in going the distance. Levi Porter took the loss as he gave up six hits, struck out five and walked three.

Portsmouth took a 1-0 lead in the first inning when Jacob Albrecht walked and scored on a hit-and-run single by Brody Shoupe into the left-centerfield gap.

Rock Hill came back to take the lead with two runs in the third inning.

With one out, Jonah Cox doubled and Laden Delawder singled to put runners on the corners. Jack Goodwin singled in the tying run, Joseph walked to load the bases and the go-ahead run scored when Evan Morris’ ground ball was booted for an error.

“We made the plays in the field and kept them from scoring. The boys played well together as a group. I can’t say enough for the way they played today,” said Litteral.

Cox went 2-4 to lead the Redmen. Zach Delotell was 2-3 for the Trojans.

Rock Hill (13-6) plays Meigs at 7 p.m. on Thursday at Chillicothe’s Veterans Stadium.

Portsmouth 100 000 0 = 1 4 1

Rock Hill 002 000 x = 2 6 0

Levi Porter and Brody Shoupe. Jonathan Joseph and Austin Kidd. W-Joseph (IP-7, ER-1, K-11, BB-3). L-Porter (IP-6, ER-1, K-5, BB-3). 2B-Portsmouth: Zach Delotell; RH: Jonah Cox 2. Hitting-Portsmouth: Brody Shoupe 1-4, Isaiah Lisath 1-2, Zach Delotell 2-3; Rock Hill: Jonah Cox 2-4, Laden Delawder 1-2, Jack Goodwin 1-3 rbi, Jonathan Joseph 1-2, Austin Kidd 1-3.