Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

PORTSMOUTH — Credit this one to the defense.

The Rock Hill Redmen not only played error-less baseball but made some key defensive plays as they beat the Portsmouth Trojans 5-2 on Monday in an Ohio Valley Conference game.

“We played really good defense,” said Rock Hill coach Barry Litteral.

“(Portsmouth) scored two runs on us getting outs. We played for outs and they got a couple of hits in there. We were up 5-0 so we gave up runs for outs.”

Sean McFann and Cody Lewis combined to limit Portsmouth to four hits.

McFann went three innings striking out one, giving up two hits and not allowing a walk or run. Lewis worked the final four innings for the win as he struck out three, walked one and gave up two earned runs.

Rock Hill (5-3, 2-3) took a 1-0 lead in the second when Kaleb Kidd walked, stole second and scored on a hit-and-run by Jaret Bacorn.

The lead went to 2-0 in the sixth on a walk to Jake Blagg, Heath Carpenter’s base hit, a fielder’s choice and Lewis’ RBI double.

The Redmen added what proved to be the winning runs in the seventh.

Bacorn doubled to start the inning and Trae Crabtree was safe when his sacrifice bunt was misplayed to put runners on the corners.

Crabtree stole second and Carpenter had a two-run single. Carpenter stole second and Sean McFann delivered an RBI single.

Portsmouth mounted a rally in the bottom of the seventh.

Ryan Williams walked, stole second, went to third on a ground out and scored on a hit by Dylan Mullins.

Zach Delotell — who went 2-for-3 — singled to put runners on the corners and a ground out scored the final run.

Carpenter was 2-4 while Lewis and Bacorn each went 2-3 with a double.

On Wednesday, Rock Hill visits Ironton while Portsmouth goes to Gallipolis.

Rock Hill 010 001 3 = 5 8 0

Portsmouth 000 000 2 = 2 4 3

Sean McFann, Cody Lewis (4) and Kaleb Kidd. Dylan Mullins, Ryan Williams (7) and Ty Oliver. W-Lewis (IP-4, K-3, BB-1, H-3, R-2, ER-2). McFann (IP-3, K-1, BB-0, H-2). L-Mullins (IP-6, K-4, BB-2, R-3, H-6). Williams (IP-1, H-2, R-2). Hitting-RH: Heath Carpenter 2-4, Sean McFann 1-4, Brandon Schob 1-4, Cody Lewis 2-3 2B, Jaret Bacorn 2-3 2B; PHS: Dylan Mullins 1-3, Zach Delotell 2-3, Zach Bayse 1-1.