Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

PEDRO — It wasn’t how many hits came, but when they came.

Rock Hill used some timely hitting and strong pitching to edge the Chesapeake Panthers 2-1 in eight innings on Wednesday in an Ohio Valley Conference game.

“We still aren’t hitting well. We hit in spurts, but we got the hits when we needed them,” said Rock Hill coach Barry Litteral.

“This was a big win for us. Both teams were aggressive and played well.”

Rock Hill (2-0, 2-0) got a good combined pitching effort from Jordan Hairston and Levi Wilds. Hairston went the first four innings and Wilds the next four to get the win. Each pitcher struck out five and walked two.

Joe Bias went seven innings for the Panthers. He struck out 10, walked five and gave up four hits. Jacob Henson worked the eighth and took the loss.

Chesapeake got its only run in the first inning when Henson reached on an error and Blake Lester and Bias followed with singles.

Rock Hill tied the game in the bottom of the seventh.

Laden Delawder reached on an error, Evan Morris and Jack Goodwin walked and Jonathan Joseph hit a sacrifice fly.

The Redmen began the winning rally with one out in the eighth.

Wilds singled, Delawder reached on an error and both runners moved up on a passed ball. Morris then singled to left field to end the game.

Morris was 2-5 as Rock Hill had six hits.

Rock Hill hosts its Stefanie Spielman Foundation Wooden Bat Tournament Thursday and Saturday. Proceeds go to the Spielman Cancer Research Foundation.

Green plays Chesapeake at 5 p.m. followed by Rock Hill and New Boston.

Chesapeake 1000 000 00 = 1 4 3

Rock Hill 000 000 11 = 2 6 2

Joe Bias, Jacob Henson (8) and Derek Morris. Jordan Hairston, Levi Wilds (5), and Austin Kidd. W-Wilds (K-5, BB-2, H-1). Hairston K-5, BB-2, H-3. L-Henson (K-1, H-2). Bias K-10, BB-5, H-4. Hitting-Chesapeake: Blake Lester 1-3, Joe Bias 1-4, Mikey Walters 1-3, Brett Curry 1-3; RH: Evan Morris 2-5, Jack Goodwin 1-3, Jonathan Joseph 1-2, Corey Noel 1-2, Levi Wilds 1-2.