Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

FRANKLIN FURNACE — If pitching and defense are the keys to winning, that’s why the Green Bobcats opened the winning door Monday.

Caleb Johnson pitched a five-hitter and Green didn’t make an error as the Bobcats blanked the Portsmouth Clay Panthers 2-0 in a Southern Ohio Conference game.

Johnson struck out 13 and walked two in going the distance. Adam Cooper pitched a three-hitter for Clay (7-10, 6-7) as he struck out nine and walked seven.

“We got an outstanding pitching performance from Caleb Johnson and we made every play in the field. We made a lot of great plays defensively. It was a total team effort,” said Green coach Dan McDavid.

Green (9-8, 5-6) got the only run it need in the first inning without the aid of a hit.

Clay Applegate walked, went all the way to third on a sacrifice by Trent Marcum and scored on John Hallum’s ground out.

The Bobcats added an insurance run in the third when Hallum got a two-out single, Johnson walked and Trevor Carver had an RBi single.

Carver was 2-2 for the Bobcats.

Green hosts St. Joseph on Tuesday.

Ports. Clay 000 000 0 = 0 5 1

Green 101 000 x = 2 3 0

Adam Cooper and Andrew Hadsell. Caleb Johnson and Trevor Carver. W-Johnson (K-13, BB-2). L-Cooper (K-9, BB-7). Hitting-Clay: Conner Phipps 1-4, Brody Riffe 1-3, Adam Cooper 1-2, Michael Gleason 2-3; Green: John Hallem 1-3 rbi, Trevor Carver 2-2 rbi. 2B-Green: Trevor Carver.