CHILLICOTHE — As far as the Fairland Dragons are concerned, looks aren’t everything.

The Dragons didn’t look good in Thursday’s Division III district semifinal game, but they still managed to come away with an 8-4 win over the Crooksville Ceramics.

“It was ugly,” said Fairland coach Roger Snyder

“We gave them four runs and they gave us about six. We made three errors on one play. We just threw the ball away and let balls get through us. I’m just glad we won.”

Fairland had six errors that led to all four Crooksville runs being unearned.

Robbie Easterling started and went 4.1 innings. Easterling deserved a better fate as he struck out four, walked one, gave up five hits and no earned runs.

Nathaniel Burcham finished up to get the win. Burcham struck out three, walked one and gave up just one hit.

“Easterling pitched pretty well until he got tired. It was pretty hot and he had to run the bases,” said Snyder.

Aaron Adams took the loss for Crooksville (12-13) as he struck out eight, walked two and gave up five hits.

“That was the best pitcher we’ve faced all year. He was really good,” said Snyder.

Crooksville scored an unearned run in the top of the fourth when Nate Allen reached on an error and Adam Slingle and Carter Payton followed with singles.

The Dragons came back to take the lead with two runs in the bottom of the inning.

Cole Hatfield singled and scored on a triple by Easterling. A throwing error allowed Easterling to score.

The Ceramics got three more unearned runs in the fifth thanks to four Fairland errors after two outs.

But Fairland answered with six runs in its half of the inning.

Chad Fisher tripled to start the rally and came home on a squeeze bunt by Chris Ward.

Burcham was hit by a pitch and came home on a double by Easterling. Tyler Thackston singled to score Easterling, moved up on a passed ball and came home when Zach Matasich’s ground ball was thrown away at first base.

Tyler Godby was hit by a pitch and a throwing error down the first base line on a comebacker allowed both runners to score.

Fairland (16-1) plays Wellston at 1 p.m. on Saturday at Unioto High School. Wellston beat Westfall 17-16 by scoring eight runs in the bottom of the seventh after Westfall got seven in the top of the inning.

The Dragons’ win came with some disappoint. Zach Jordan suffered a broken wrist and will be lost for the rest of the season.

“Zach has done a nice job for us and he’s a joy to be around. He’s a class youngster and I hate to see that happen to him,” said Snyder.

Crooksville 000 13x 0 = 4 6 5

Fairland 000 260 x = 8 5 6

Aaron Adams and Brandon Daniels. Robbie Easterling (4-K, 1-BB, 5-H, 4-R, 0-ER), Nathaniel Burcham (5) and Tyler Godby. W-Burcham (3-K, 1-BB, 1-H). L-Adams (8-K, 2-BB). 2B-Fairland: Robbie Easterling. 3B-Fairland: Robbie Easterling, Chad Fisher. Hitting-Crooksville: Aaron Adams 1-4, Brandon Daniels 1-3, Nate Allen 1-4, Adam Slingle 2-4, Carter Payton 1-3; Fairland: Robbie Easterling 2-3, Tyler Thackston 1-3, Chad Fisher 1-3, Cole Hatfield 1-4.