Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

POLAND — Down but definitely not out.

The Rock Hill Junior League All-Stars snatched victory from the jaws of defeat as they rallied for two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to edge Maumee 7-6 on Thursday in the state tournament.

“These boys are starting a trend on walk-off wins. Nate Bias came through with a clutch hit when we needed it to score Ethan and Braden,” said Rock Hill coach Shawn McClaskey.

“Brayden Friend and Ethan McClaskey combined for a great pitching performance today. The combo was what we needed against a hard-hitting Maumee team.”

After Maumee got a run in the top of the first, Rock Hill came back with four in the bottom of the inning.

Jordan Griffith and Seth Nichols walked, Tucker Carpenter singled, Friend tripled and then stole home.

Maumee got single runs in the second and third innings and two in the fourth to lead 5-4.

But Rock Hill tied the game in the bottom of the fourth. Evan Cremeans walked, Griffith reached on fielder’s choice and stole second and Calab Dillon had an RBI single.

Maumee regained the lead with a run in the fifth only to have Rock Hill rally in the seventh.

McClaskey doubled with one out and Friend doubled with two outs. Bias followed with the game-winning walk-off single to drive both runners home.

McClaskey picked up the win in relief. He went 2.1 innings and didn’t allow a hit or run. He struck out four and walked two.

Friend — worked 4.2 innings and struck out five — went 3-4 with two doubles and an RBI.

Rock Hill will play East Holmes at 3 p.m. on Friday in the loser’s bracket championship.

The winner will play Poland at noon on Saturday in the championship series. Poland needs just one win while the Rock Hill-East Holmes winner must win two games. The second game Saturday would be at 3 p.m. if necessary.

Maumee 111 210 0 = 6 13 1

Rock Hill 400 100 2 = 7 8 0

Rock Hill pitching: Brayden Friend (IP-4.2, H-13, R-6, ER-5, K-5), Ethan McClaskey (IP-2.1, K-4, BB-2). Rock Hill hitting: Calab Dillon 1-4, Ethan McClaskey 1-4 2B, Tucker Carpenter 1-3 rbi-2, Brayden Friend 3-4 rbi 2B 3B, Nate Bias 1-3 rbi, Hayden Harper 1-1 2B.