Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

PORTSMOUTH — The St. Joseph Flyers are young, but they’re getting better.
The Flyers battled from start to finish before the Portsmouth Clay Panthers got a run in the bottom of the seventh to get a 2-1 win on Monday.
“The pitching has been good. The hitting still has a lot of work to do,” said Flyers’ coach Greg Bryant. “We played right with them and battled. Clay is a pretty solid team.”
Clay Willis and Isaac Whaley combined on a four-hitter in taking the loss. Willis struck out four, walked four, gave up two hits and one unearned run. Whaley gave up two hits, walked two and one earned run.
Clay took a Keith Cottle doubled, Jaden Jessee walked, a passed ball and a ground out.
The Flyers (2-2) tied the game in the top of the seventh.
Willis walked, stole second, went to third on Whaley’s sacrifice, Chase Walters was walked intentionally and a balk sent Willis home.
“We had the winning run on third base and their shortstop and pitcher each made a nice play. That’s all you can ask for is to be in the game,” said Bryant.
Clay (4-1) then got the winning run in the bottom of the inning.
Evan Woods singled and Clay Cottle reached on a throwing error. Tanner Richards was walked intentionally to load the bases and Keith Cottle hit a dribbler down the third baseline that allowed the run to score.
The Flyers host New Boston on Tuesday.
St. Joseph    000    000    1    =    1    1    2
Ports. Clay    100    000    1    =    2    4    0
Clay Willis, Isaac Whaley (5) and Jackson Rowe, Jimmy Mahlmeister (5). Dakota Dobbs and Reece Whitley. W-Dobbs (K-13, BB-3). L-Whaley (IP-2, H-2, BB-2, ER-1). Willis (IP-4, H-2, K-4, BB-4, ER-0). St. Joe: Chase Walters 1-2; Clay: Keith Cottle 2-4 2B, McGwire Garrison 1-3, Evan Woods 1-2.