PROCTORVILLE — Practice makes perfect.

Practicing bunting paid off for the Fairland Dragons who used a squeeze bunt by Brandon Begil in the bottom of the ninth inning to beat the Rock Hill Redmen 1-0 Friday in an Ohio Valley Conference game.

“It was the perfect opportunity to do it. We work on it and (the work) paid off,” said Fairland coach Bryan Ward.

Chad Fisher — who struck out all three batters he faced in the top of the ninth — got the win in relief of Alex Thackston who pitched eight scoreless innings. Earlier this week Thackston lost 2-0 to Coal Grove in a game in which he struck out 19.

“You can’t ask any more out of Thackston than what he’s done this week,” said Ward.

Jon Baise was hit by a pitch to begin the winning rally. He stole second base and went to third when Fisher beat out a bunt down the third baseline.

Thackston was walked intentionally to load the bases and Begil put down his squeeze bunt to give Fairland (4-2, 1-1) the win.

“It’s tough to execute, but if you do it properly it’s tough to defend,” said Ward.

Josh Malone pitched well in defeat for Rock Hill (4-2, 2-1). He struck out 14, walked two, hit two batters and gave up just three hits.

Rock Hill 000 000 000 = 0 4 2

Fairland 000 000 001 = 1 3 1

Josh Malone and Cody Massie. Alex Thackston, Chad Fisher (9) and Matt Campbell. W-Fisher (3-K, 0-BB). L-Malone (14-K, 2-BB, 2-HBP). Thackston 6-K, 2-BB, 4-H. Hitting-Rock Hill: Josh Malone 1-4, Cody Massie 1-4, Matt Jenkins 1-4, Drew Kidd 1-3; Fairland: Chad Fisher 1-3, Brandon Begil 1-4 RBI, Javier Rowe 1-3.