McDERMOTT -- Playing together as a team is important to succeed in sports. When you have a team of All-Stars, that sometimes becomes difficult.

But that's not the case with the Rock Hill Junior League All-Stars, manager Bernie Preston says. It was that team attitude that led the team to the District 11 Junior League crown and a birth in the state tournament in Elyria.

"There's not one standout on this team," Preston said. "The kids have really been playing team ball and that's why they're heading (to the state)."

Rock Hill knocked off Ironton 6-3 Tuesday in the championship game after beating Wheelersburg 10-0 and Portsmouth West 11-1 in the single-elimination round. Prior to that, the 12 teams in the district participated in pool play. Rock Hill won its pool and was seeded third in the elimination round. The top two teams, South Point and Portsmouth West, received byes.

In pool play, Rock Hill beat Newville -- a combined New Boston and Sciotoville team -- 14-2, Portsmouth 16-14 and Ironton 14-4.

In Tuesday's championship game, Rock Hill scored four runs in the fourth inning after scoring a run in each the first and third innings.

Michael Williams led off the fourth with a single and was safe at second when Nich Howard's sacrifice bunt was misplayed. Josh Guy drew a walk to load the bases.

Chris Moore singled in a run, Chad Miller and T.J. Blagg drew bases-loaded walks for RBIs and K.C. Christian grounded out to second to plate the fourth run, giving Rock Hill a 6-0 lead.

Ironton bounced back in the top of the fifth. Jerrod Murphy and Jeremy Addis each had run-scoring doubles and Jay Ruddmann had an RBI single to cut Rock Hill's lead to 6-3. Neither team would score another run.

Blagg picked up the win for Rock Hill, going five innings with two strikeouts and three walks. Miller picked up the save, striking out one and walking one in two innings of work.

"This year has really been fun for the kids," Preston said. "They've enjoyed playing."

Rock Hill will play in Elyria Wednesday.

In order to attend the state tournament, the players need to raise money through donations. On Saturday, players solicited donations at McDonald's, Pick-N-Save, Bartrum's and Lambert's. Anybody who would like to donate may call 533-1396 or 532-6284 after 5 p.m.

Ironton0000300--37

Rock Hill101400x--68

Ironton hitting: Jay Ruddmann 3-4, Jerrod Murphy 2-2 (2 2Bs), Parece 1-2, Jeremey Addis 1-4 (2B). Rock Hill hitting: Chad Miller 2-3, K.C. Christian 2-4, Carl Blankenship 1-1, Chris Moore 1-1, Michael Williams 1-2, T.J. Blagg 1-3. Shawn Doyle/The Ironton Tribune