Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

COAL GROVE — Coach Sam Gue saw a big challenge in front of his Rock Hill Redwomen.

Evidently, all they saw was more of what they’ve seen so far this season.

The Redwomen collected 13 hits and Jill Hairston pitched her fifth shutout in as many games as Rock Hill blanked the Coal Grove Lady Hornets 12-0 in six innings on Friday in an Ohio Valley Conference game.

“We came into this game knowing we were facing a solid team and I feel like our girls responded well,” said Rock Hill coach Sam Gue.

“This group lives to compete. We have a huge week ahead of us playing six games in six days starting at Chesapeake on Monday. We’ll have our hands full.”

Hairston gave up four hits, struck out four and walked just one as she improved to 5-0.

After missing the past two games, Kaci Russell returned to lead the Rock Hill offense as she went 3-for-5 and was on base four times.

Harrah had big day at the plate as she went 2-4 with a home run and two RBIs. Riann Keating was 2-3 with a double and Taylor Hall was 2-4.

“Obviously, I can’t say enough about our pitching and defense,” said Gue. “The girls know they are going to get consistency from Jill and Riann and I believe they feel the same way about the defense behind them.”

Gracie Riley went 2-3 to lead Coal Grove.

Harrah and Keating had back-to-back run scoring singles in the first inning as Rock Hill took a 2-0 lead.

The Redwomen went up 6-0 in the third with four runs keyed by Balike Roberts’ two-run single. Jenna Lane had an RBI triple in the rally.

Harrah slammed a home run leading off the fifth to extend the lead to 7-0.

“Makenzi provided a spark with her home run to lead off the fifth and then made an incredible play in the field to turn a double play ot end the inning. She really gets our team going and is always providing positive energy,” said Gue.

Rock Hill (5-0, 1-0) then put the game away with five runs in the top of the sixth as Hairston aided her own cause with a three-run double.

On Monday, Rock Hill visits Chesapeake while Coal Grove goes to Portsmouth for a 7 p.m. game.

Rock Hill 204 015 = 12 13 2

Coal Grove 000 000 = 0 4 5

Jill Hairston and Riann Keating. Kasey Murphy and Lauren Crum. W-Hairston (K-4, BB-1). L-Murphy (K-9, BB-1). Hitting-RH: Kaci Russell 3-5, Jenna Lane 1-3 3B rbi, Jill Hairston 1-4 2B rbi-3, Makenzi Harrah 2-4 HR rbi-2, Riann Keating 2-3 2B rbi, Madison Harper 1-1 rbi, Blaike Roberts 1-4 rbi-2, Taylor Hall 2-4; CG: Kasey Murphy 1-3, Gracie Riley 2-3.