Panthers edge Redmen, 13-12; sweep Jeeps

Published 12:00 am Friday, April 29, 2005

CHESAPEAKE - One thing about Panthers, they claw.

Trailing by six runs early, the Chesapeake Panthers clawed their way back into the game and held on for a 13-12 slugfest win over the Rock Hill Redmen Friday in an Ohio Valley Conference game.

"We were down 8-2 at one time and it didn't look good. But the kids didn't quit and just battled back," Panthers coach Joe Waugh said.

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Rock Hill went up 3-0 in the top of the first inning on two walks, a hit batsman, a double by Nathan Wagner and a two-run homer by Justin Lavender.

Chesapeake cut the lead to 3-2 in the bottom of the inning.

Cory Methax doubled, Jeff Gilkison was hit by a pitch, Cody Methax singled and Keith Marcum had a two-run single.

The Redmen scored five times in the second inning to lead 8-2.

Mike Williams was safe on an error, Nick Howard singled and K.C. Christian hit a three-run homer. T.J. Blagg then singled, Matt Wilson walked and Josh Moore doubled home both runners.

The Panthers got a run back in the bottom of the second when Kirsten Harris walked and Zach Henderson doubled.

Each team pushed across a run in the third inning.

Rock Hill scored when Christian reached on a fielder's choice, stole second,

moved to third base on a passed ball and Lavender hit a sacrifice fly.

Cody Methax doubled in the bottom of the inning and Matt Whitmore singled.

Chesapeake made it 9-5 in the fourth inning when Cory Methax tripled and Gilkison singled.

Williams was safe on an error, moved up on a throwing error and came home when Christian singled as the Redmen took a 10-5 lead in the top of the fifth inning.

The Panthers then erupted for five runs in the bottom of the inning to tie the game.

Marcum singled and Matt Rowe tripled. Harris singled in Rowe, P.J. Rase walked and Cory Methax singled in a run. Gilkison doubled to score two.

Chesapeake scored what proved to be the winning runs in the sixth inning.

Cody Methax and Whitmore singled to start the inning and scored when Marcum doubled. Pinch-runner Kyle Rase came around to score on a base hit by Harris.

The Redmen tried to rally in the seventh as they scored twice.

Williams had a leadoff double, Howard was safe on an error with Williams scoring. Christian walked, Blagg was hit by a pitch to force, Lavender hit another sacrifice fly, but the next batter grounded out to end the game.

Chesapeake, 5-3 and 2-1 in the OVC, hosts South Point Monday.

On Saturday, the Panthers swept a doubleheader from South Webster.

In the first game, the Panthers won 6-4 in eight innings.

Whitmore started the winning rally as he reached on an error, moved up on two wild pitches and scored when Marcum was safe on an error. Rowe walked and Harris had an RBI singled.

Cody Methax fired a two-hitter in the second game as Chesapeake got a 10-0 mercy rule win.

Methax struck out five and walked three to get the win.

Chesapeake had eight hits with Cory Methax going 2-4 including a home run.

Rock Hill3510102=12113

Chesapeake211153x=13193

Justin Lavender, Josh Moore (5) and Nathan Wagner. Kirsten Harris, P.J. Rase (2), Jeff Gilkison (6) and Matt Rowe. W-Rase. L-Moore. 2B-Rock Hill: Josh Moore, Nathan Wagner, Mike Williams; Chesapeake: Cory Methax, Zach Henderson, Jeff Gilkison, Cody Methax, Keith Marcum. 3B-Chesapeake: Cory Methax, Matt Rowe. HR-Rock Hill: K.C. Christian, Justin Lavender. Hitting-Rock Hill: K.C. Christian 2-3, Justin Lavender 1-4, Josh Moore 1-5, Nathan Wagner 2-3, Mike Williams 1-4, Nick Howard 3-4; Chesapeake: Cory Methax 3-3, Jeff Gilkison 2-3, Cody Methax 3-4, Matt Whitmore 2-4, Keith Marcum 3-4, Matt Rowe 2-4, Kirsten Harris 3-4, Zach Henderson 1-3.

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Saturday's Games

First Game

Chesapeake00111012=663

So. Webster10200010=475

Kirsten Harris and Matt Rowe. McClintick and Collins. W-Harris (7-K, 2-W). L-McClintick (3-K, 3-W). 2B-Chesapeake: P.J. Rase; SW: Styles. Hitting-Chesapeake: P.J. Rase 1-5, Cory Methax 1-5, Matt Whitmore 2-4, Kirsten Harris 2-2; South Webster: McClintick 2-5, Grimshaw 1-4, Styles 1-4, Carter 1-3, Campbell 1-4, Fenton 1-4.

Second Game

Chesapeake10027=1080

So. Webster00000=021

Cody Methax and Brian Huff. Styles, Corriel (5) and Basham. W-Methax (5-K, 3-W). L-Styles. HR-Chesapeake: Cory Methax. Hitting-Chesapeake: P.J. Rase 1-3, Cory Methax 2-4, Jeff Gilkison 1-4, Matt Whitmore 1-3, Brian Huff 1-2, Kyle Rase 1-2, Matt Rowe 1-2; South Webster: Collins 1-3, Weaver 1-2.