By JIM WALKER

Tribune Sports Editor

FRANKLIN FURNACE — The pitching and offense was working all day. The defense took some time off.

Green’s pitching and hitting was good enough to overcome some defensive lapses as the Bobcats swept the Manchester Greyhounds 5-4 in eight innings and 8-4 on Saturday.

Green (4-0) made eight errors on the day with seven coming in the first game.

Keith Stepp went six innings in the opener and allowed four runs but only one was earned. He struck out five, walked two and gave up five hits.

T.J. McCloud finished up for the win as he struck out three and gave up one hit.

“Keith Stepp deserved a much better fate. We played not defense whatsoever,” said Green coach Dan McDavid.

But things changed in the second game, at least defensively. The Bobcats made only one error in the win.

The improved defense helped Adam Riffitt pick up the win. Although Riffitt walked seven, he stuck out four, allowed just five hits and three earned runs.

“Other than the walks, I thought Adam pitched well,” said McDavid. “Our defensive effort was a lot better and our freshmen middle infielders looked especially good.”

Manchester took a 2-0 lead in the top of the fourth on a hit by Pete Ridgon, a wild pitch, an error and Tyler Penny’s base hit.

Green came right back to take a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the inning.

McCloud reached on an error and scored on a double by Matt Ratcliff. Steve Ratcliff doubled for a run and Colton Brammer had an RBI single.

The Bobcats got a run in the fifth when Tyler Hughes singled, Rob Applegate put down a sacrifice bunt and McCloud singled.

Two errors and a two-run single by Penny tied the game in the top of the seventh, but Green got a run in the eighth for the win.

Brammer walked and came around to score when Bruce’s sacrifice bunt was thrown down the right field line.

Steve Ratcliff was 2-4 and Bruce 2-3 as Green had nine hits.

Manchester took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning of the second game on three walks and William Booker’s squeeze bunt.

Green roared back with four runs in the bottom half.

Steve Ratcliff doubled, Stepp was hit by a pitch and Brammer walked. Dillon Smith hit into a fielder’s choice as a run scored and Hughes had a two-run single. McCloud reached on an outfield error as a run scored.

The Greyhounds used RBI singles by Rigdon and Chris Mitchell to score twice in the third, but Green got three of its own in their half of the inning.

Steve Ratcliff and Stepp walked and then Brammer, Smith and Hughes followed with RBI singles.

Manchester got a run in the fourth only to have Green get the run back in the fifth on a hit by Matt Howard, a fielder’s choice and Matt Ratcliff’s double.

The Bobcats had nine more hits in the second game with Hughes going 2-3 with three RBI and Matt Ratcliff 2-4.

First Game

Manchester 000 200 20 = 4 6 4

Green 000 310 01 = 5 9 7

Ian Watterson and Tyler King. Keith Stepp, T.J. McCloud (7) and Matt Ratcliff. W-McCloud (K-3, BB-1). Stepp K-5, BB-2, H-5, ER-1. 2B-Manchester: Jordan Perry; Green: Steve Ratcliff, Matt Ratcliff. Hitting-Manchester: Tyler Penny 2-4, Jordan Perry 2-5; Green: T.J. McCloud 1-4 rbi, Steve Ratcliff 2-4 2-rbi, Matt Ratcliff 1-4 rbi, Cody Bruce 2-3, Tyler Hughes 1-2, Dillon Smith 1-1, Colton Brammer 1-4.

Second Game

Manchester 012 100 0 = 4 5 2

Green 043 010 x = 8 9 1

Marshall Spencer and Chris Mitchell. Adam Riffitt and Matt Ratcliff. W-Riffitt (K-4, BB-7, ER-3). L-Spencer. 2B-Green: Matt Ratcliff, Steve Ratcliff. Hitting-Manchester: Blake Blevins 1-4, Peter Rigdon -4, Chris Mitchell 1-4, Marshall Spencer 1-2; Green: Tyler Hughes 2-3 3-rbi, Matt Ratcliff 2-4 rbi, Dillon Smith 1-3 3-rbi, Matt Howard 1-1, T.J. McCloud 1-3, Steve Ratcliff 1-2, Colton Brammer 1-1.