RHJL stars state bound after getting district title

Published 1:55 am Monday, July 19, 2010

PEDRO — The Rock Hill Junior League Softball Team All-Stars are packing their suitcases.

Rock Hill’s junior leaguers edged the South Point Junior League All-Stars 2-1 Saturday to win the District 11 championship and a berth in the state tournament series.

“This whole tournament has been a total-team effort,” said Rock Hill coach Mary Harper.

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Rock Hill plays in Canfield Friday to begin the state championship. The winner of the best 2-out-of-3 series will earn the right to advance to the regional tournament.

Sami Nixon pitched a six-hitter for Rock Hill to get the win. She struck out 10 and walked just one.

Rock Hill got a run in the first inning when Nixon singled, took second base on a wild pitch and rode home on a hit by Brooke Hanshaw.

South Point tied the game in the second on a hit by Kleinman, a wild pitch and a hit by Lewis.

But Rock Hill took the lead for good in the third inning.

The rally began on a one-out triple by Kenzie Martin. Lindy Simpson walked and took off for second base with two outs. The pitcher threw to second base but the ball was dropped allowing Martin to score.

Rock Hill finished 16-0 in the regular season. In the first game of the district tournament, they lost to South Point in bottom of seventh inning. The bounced back by beating Lucasville Valley, then routed South Point 18-3 to set up Saturday’s title game win.

Along with Mary Harper, team coaches are Mark Harper, Greg Martin, Mark Nixon and Joe Eastham.

Rock Hill 101 000 0 = 2 5 0

South Point 010 000 0 = 0 6 1

Sami Nixon and Kenzie Martin. Brown and Kleinman. W-Nixon (10-K, 1-BB). L-Brown (2-K, 1-BB). 3B-Rock Hill: Martin. Hitting-Rock Hill: Sami Nixon 1-4, Kenzie Martin 1-4, Brooke Hanshaw 1-3, Lindy Simpson 1-3, Brooklyn Kingrey 1-2; South Point: Kleinman 2-3, Lewis 1-3. Sites 1-3, Powell 2-3.