LUCASVILLE — Defense was the difference.

The Alexander Lady Spartans used two big defensive plays and took advantageof two errors to end the Rock Hill Redwomen tournament run with a 2-1 win Thursday in the Division III district semifinals.

Alexander (21-7) was able to score the winning run on some heads-up baserunning.

Kaylee Koker singled to start the Alexander fifth inning and Kaitlyn Guthrie put down a sacrifice bunt sending Koker to second. However, third base was left unattended and Koker raced for the open base.

Rock Hill left-fielder Ashley Griffith ran to cover third but the throw skipped past her into the dugout allowing Koker to score what proved to be the winning run.

The Redwomen threatened in the seventh on singles by Morgan Damron and Dani Crabtree. A sacrifice bunt put the runners at second and third, but a squeeze bunt attempt was missed and Damron was hung up halfway home.

Catcher Shelby Williams was able to apply the tag for the out. Facing an 0-2 count, the batter took a ball and then grounded out on the next pitch to end the game.

Rock Hill took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning when Morgan Schug doubled home a run, but Alexander came back to score a run in the bottom of the inning on a throwing error to tie the game.

Schug had a hit in the third inning but BreeAnna Depriest was thrown out at home on a perfect throw as she tried to score from second base.

Schug suffered the loss as she allowed just five hits, struck out two and walked one. Koker got the win as she fanned three and did not walk a batter while allowing six hits.

Rock Hill ends the season 16-12.

Rock Hill 100 000 0 = 1 6 2

Alexander 100 010 x = 2 5 1

Morgan Schug and Megan Russell. Kaylee Koker and Shelby Williams. W-Koker (3-K,0-BB). L-Schug (2-K, 1-BB). 2B-Rock Hill: Morgan Schug. Hitting-Rock Hill: Morgan Schug 2-3, Dani Crabtree 2-3, BreeAnna Depriest 1-3, Morgan Damron 1-3; Alexander: Amber McLaughlin 2-3.