By JIM WALKER

Tribune Sports Editor

CHESAPEAKE — Speed and defense.

Those were the key elements Thursday as the Rock Hill Redmen blanked the Chesapeake Panthers 8-0 in an Ohio Valley Conference game.

Besides using their speed and defense, pitcher Ryan Hackworth scattered six hits over six innings to get the win. Drew Kidd worked the seventh.

“We kept the pressure on them on the base paths and defensively we played well,” said Rock Hill coach Barry Litteral noting the defense turned two double plays.

“Ryan threw the ball well and we came up with the plays (defensively) when we needed it. But we left too many runners on. We need to do a better job capitalizing on our scoring opportunities.”

Devin Darby went 2-3 with three runs batted in and Cody Massie was 2-4 as Rock Hill had eight hits.

Jake Lewis and Tommy Noble were 2-3 for the Panthers.

Shane Russell doubled, stole third base and scored on Massie’s ground out as Rock Hill took a 1-0 lead in the first inning.

Darby walked, stole second and scored on a hit by Ryan Depriest to begin the second. Russell walked and Kidd was safe on an error as a run scored.

The lead went to 5-0 in the third when Massie singled, Chris Donohue walked and Darby had a two-run double.

The Redmen got a run in the fourth to lead 6-0. Russell was safe on an error, stole third and scored on Kidd’s base hit.

In the seventh, Massie and Donohue doubled for a run and Darby capped the scoring with an RBI single.

Rock Hill (5-0, 2-0) hosts Fairland Monday in a battle for first place in the OVC.

Rock Hill 122 100 2 = 8 8 0

Chesapeake 000 000 0 = 0 7 3

Ryan Hackworth, Drew Kidd (7) and Cody Massie. Hunter Bare, Mikey Walter (6) and Brandon Noble. W-Hackworth (K-7,BB-3, H-6). L-Bare (K-2, BB-5, H-5, R-6). 2B-Rock Hill: Shane Russell, Cody Massie, Chris Donohue; Chesapeake: Mikey Walters. Hitting-Rock Hill: Shane Russell 1-4, Cody Massie 2-4, Chris Donohue 1-3, Drew Kidd 1-4, Devin Darby 2-3, Ryan Depriest 1-4; Chesapeake: Mikey Walters 1-4, Simeon Combs 1-3, Jake Lewis 2-3, Tommy Noble 2-3, Kyle Heffner 1-3.