CHESHIRE — Kirstin Midkiff is a fast learner.

The Fairland freshman pitcher looked like a veteran as she pitched the Lady Dragons to a 9-5 win over the River Valley Lady Raiders Monday in an Ohio Valley Conference game.

“She got in trouble a couple of times and worked her way out of it. She relied on her defense and made the pitches when she had to,” Fairland coach Leroy Baise said.

Midkiff struck out eight, walked just two, gave up seven hits and hit a batter in going the distance.

Fairland went up 2-0 when Mackenzie Rucker singled and Megan Auxier had an RBI single. Marie Stewart followed with a run-scoring hit.

The lead went to 3-0 in the second when Ashley Graham singled, moved up on a ground out and came home when Allison Hager singled.

The Lady Dragons pushed across a run in the fourth inning then Midkiff singled, a ground out, a hit by Stephanie Graham and a fielder’s choice by Ashley Graham.

Fairland pushed the lead to 6-0 in the top of the fourth inning when Rucker walked and scored on an inside-the-park home run by Auxier.

River Valley scored twice in the bottom of the inning only to have Fairland get the two in the sixth.

Danielle Jordan walked, Auxier doubled and Midkiff had a two-run single.

The Lady Raiders got a run back in the bottom of the inning, but Fairland answered with a run in the seventh.

Stephanie Graham was safe on an error, moved to second and third on errors, then scored when Mandy Clark grounded out.

Fairland, 6-0 and 3-0 in the OVC, hosts Coal Grove Wednesday.

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Kirstin Midkiff and Stephanie Graham. McFann and Porter. W-Midkiff (8-K, 2-BB, 1-HBP). L-McFann (3-K, 3-BB). 2B-Fairland: Megan Auxier; RV: Carter. HR-Fairland: Megan Auxier. Hitting-Fairland: Mackenzie Rucker 1-4, Megan Auxier 3-4 (3 RBI), Kirstin Midkiff 2-4, Marie Steward 1-4, Stephanie Graham 2-4, Ashley Graham 1-3, Allison Hager 1-3; River Valley: Carter 1-4, Smith 3-4, Corder 1-3, Griffith 1-2, Flint 1-3.