Dragons cruise past Panthers in OVC

Published 1:12 pm Friday, April 10, 2009

CHESAPEAKE — Robbie Easterling didn’t match Nathan Burcham, but he came close.

After Burcham pitched a no-hitter on Wednesday, Easterling tossed a one-hitter as the Fairland Dragons routed the Chesapeake Panthers 15-0 in five innings.

Easterling struck out seven and did not walk a batter.

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Fairland got the only three runs they needed in the fourth inning.

Zach Matasich singled, stole second and third, and Chris Ward was safe on an error. Chad Fisher reached on an error to score Ward. Zach Jordan grounded out as Fisher scored.

The Dragons erupted for 12 runs in the fifth inning.

Tyler Thackston hit a three-run homer to highlight the uprising and the Panthers were guilty of four errors. Matasich had two hits in the inning while Ward, Easterling, Burcham, Fisher and Ethan Long all had hits.

Gabe Freyre doubled on the first pitch of the third inning for the Panthers’ lone hit.

On Friday, Fairland (4-1, 2-0) hosts River Valley while Chesapeake (1-4, 0-2) visits South Point.

Fairland 000 3(12) = 15 10 0

Chesapeake 000 00 = 0 1 7

Robbie Easterling and Tyler Godby. Wes Lezu, Shane Pelfrey (5) and Colton Lindsey. W-Easterling (7-K, 0-BB). L-Lezu. 2B-Fairalnd: Nathan Burcham, Robbie Easterling; Chesapeake: Gabe Freyre. HR-Fairland: Tyler Thackston. Hitting-Fairland: Zach Jordan 1-5, Robbie Easterling 1-1, Tyler Thackston 1-3, Zach Matasich 3-3, Chris Ward 1-3, Nathan Burcham 1-1, Chad Fisher 1-4, Ethan Long 1-1; Chesapeake: Gabe Freyre 1-1.