By JIM WALKER

Tribune Sports Editor

 

PEDRO — All season pitching and defense have been the key for the Rock Hill Redwomen. Those factors were even bigger as the postseason began.

Sami Nixon pitched a two-hitter and the defense pulled off a triple play as Rock Hill blanked the Southeastern Lady Panthers 10-0 in five innings on Tuesday in the Division III sectional tournament.

Nixon struck out eight and walked just one to get the win.

“Our hitting was a little rusty, but Sami pitched well and our defense was pretty good,” said Rock Hill coach Mary Jane Harper.

The defense had just one error and it was highlighted by a third inning triple play.

With Southeastern runners at first and second, the batter attempted to bunt the ball and Rock Hill first baseman Morgan Damron made a diving catch for the first out.

Damron threw to second baseman Kenzi Martin who was covering first and doubled up the runner. Martin then threw to second base where centerfielder BreeAnna Depriest was covering the bag and she tagged out the runner for the third out.

“It was a really neat play,” said Harper.

With the win Rock Hill (16-6) will now host Minford at 5 p.m. Friday in the sectional finals. Minford beat Oak Hill 10-7.

Rock Hill got three runs in the first inning on one hit.

Damron reached on an error, Depriest was hit by a pitch, they moved up on a wild pitch and Chelsea Harper doubled home the two runners. Harper then scored on two wild pitches.

A run scored in the second when Nixon was hit by a pitch, courtesy runner Brooke Kingery moved up on an error and scored when Brooke Eastham was safe on an error.

The lead went to 5-0 in the third inning.

Brooke Hanshaw was safe on an error, Martin put down a sacrifice bunt and Kaelynn Ellis had an RBI double.

Rock Hill ended the game early with five runs in the bottom of the fifth.

Martin walked, Ellis singled and both scored on back-to-back wild pitches.

Nixon and Lindy Simpson walked, Damron was hit by a pitch, Depriest had a two-run single and Harper singled in the final run.

Depriest was 2-2, Ellis 2-3 and Harper 2-4 to account for Rock Hill’s six hits.

Southeastern 000 00 = 0 2 5

Rock Hill 311 05 = 10 6 1

Brooke Over and Hatfield. Sami Nixon and Brooke Eastham. W-Nixon (K-8, BB-1). L-Over (K-3, BB-3). 2B-Rock Hill: Chelsa Harper, Kaelynn Ellis. Hitting-SE: Carter 1-2, Hice 1-2; Rock Hill: Depriest 2-2, Harper 2-4, Ellis 2-3.