Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

PEDRO — The Fairland Dragons were rude guests.

Rock Hill was finally playing a home game on their infield of artificial turf, but Fairland spoiled the celebration as Hayden James pitched a three-hitter in a 3-0 Ohio Valley Conference win on Monday.

James struck out six, walked two and hit a batter in going the distance.

Cody Lewis pitched well in defeat. He struck out five, didn’t walk a batter and gave up six hits. He retired the first nine batters in a row.

“Hayden pitched a really good game and we played some good defense behind him,” said Fairland coach Alex Beelen.

“Hayden is one of our seniors and I can usually count on him to pitch well. He’s not overpowering but his fastball has a lot of movement and he mixes his pitches well.”

Fairland (10-6, 7-3) scored all its runs in the fourth inning.

Trace Adkins doubled to start the inning and Tyler George had a bunt single. George stole second and Seth Clay beat out an infield hit as a run scored.

Clay stole second and Dairus Stapleton reached on an error as two runs scored.

Sean McFann, Brandon Schob and Landon Smith had hits for Rock Hill (8-8, 3-8).

“It was a well-pitched game by both pitchers,” said Rock Hill coach Barry Litteral. “

On Wednesday, Fairland hosts Coal Grove on little league night. Rock Hill hosts River Valley on Tuesday.

Fairland 000 300 0 = 3 6 1

Rock Hill 000 000 0 = 0 3 2

Hayden James and Eli Bowen. Cody Lewis and Kaleb Kidd. W-James (K-6, BB-2, HBP-1). L-Lewis (K-5, BB-0, ER-2). Hitting–FHS: Trace Adkins 1-3 2B, Tyler George 2-3, Collin Damron 1-3 3B, Seth Clay 1-3 rbi, Dairus Stapleton rbi, Austin Christian 1-2 2B; RH: Sean McFann 1-2 2B, Brandon Schob 1-3, Landon Smith 1-2.