Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

PEDRO — Defense wins games. Just as the Rock Hill Redmen.

A big defensive play that erased the potential tying run helped the Redmen blank the Chesapeake Panthers 1-0 Wednesday in an Ohio Valley Conference game.

Rock Hill had taken a 1-0 lead in the first inning.

With one out, Jonah Cox doubled, came to third on a fly ball and scored on a base hit by Jonathan Joseph.

Chesapeake threatened in the sixth.

Bobby Arthur Eddy walked. Austin Stone singled to centerfield but Aaron Dalton threw home to Cox to cut down pinch-runner Alex Miller trying to score.

“Aaron made a good throw from centerfield and Jonah made a nice diving tag at home to get him,” said Rock Hill coach Barry Litteral. “It was a good play all-around. We got good pitching and good defense and held on.”

Joseph went the distance for the win. He gave up six hits, struck out 12 and walked four.

Jacob Henson took the loss. He allowed six hits, struck out five and walked two.

Cox and Joseph each went 2-3 for Rock Hill (5-0, 1-0).

Blake Lester was 2-4 to lead the Panthers.

Chesapeake 000 000 0 = 0 6 2

Rock Hill 100 000 x = 1 6 0

Jacob Henson and Derek Morris. Jonathan Joseph and Jonah Cox. W-Joseph (K-12, BB-4). L-Henson (K-5, BB-2). Hitting-Chesapeake: Casey McComas 1-4, Blake Lester 2-4, Derek Morris 1-3, Jacob Eddy 1-2, Austin Stone 1-3; RH: Jonah Cox 2-3, Jack Goodwin 1-3, Jonathan Joseph 2-3, Jordan Hairston 1-3. 2B-RH: Jonah Cox, Jack Goodwin.