Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

PEDRO — Clear off a spot in the trophy case.
Coupled with Ironton’s win over South Point, the Redmen clinched the Ohio Valley Conference title on Monday with a 13-3 five-inning win over the Portsmouth Trojans.
“It feels good. That was a big win. It’s been a good season. This is a good group of kids. They listen and they worked hard for it. They’re a special group,” said Rock Hill coach Barry Litteral.
Rock Hill is now 14-1 overall and 12-1 in the league. The Redmen visit South Point on Tuesday.
“Winning the league was our first goal. The kids knew what was in front of them tonight. Now we want to finish out strong and get ready to play in the tournament,” said Litteral.
The Redmen did not commit an error and turned their seventh double play in the past three games.
Rock Hill went up 1-0 in the first on a two-out walk to Cody Lewis and singled by Kaleb Kidd and Logan Hankins.
Portsmouth took a 2-1 lead in the top of the second Jack Workman and Zach Kinney and Michael Duncan singled for a run and Hayden Yerardi.
Rock Hill regained the lead with two runs in the bottom of the inning.
Landon Smith walked, stole second and took third on a bunt by Brayden Friend. Jake Blagg was hit by a pitch and Seth Nichols reached on an error as two runners scored.
In the third, Kidd walked, Hankins singled, Kaden France had a sacrifice, Jaret Bacorn walked and Smith singled in a run. Friend capped the rally with a two-run single and it was 6-2.
The Trojans got a run in the top of the fourth when Workman singled, stole second and scored on Yerardi’s double.
Rock Hill answered with six runs in the bottom of the inning.
Nichols and Lewis doubled for a run and Kidd had an RBI single. Hankins reached on a fielder’s choice, stole second and France had an RBI single. Bacorn singled home Hankins, Smith singled and Friend had a two-run triple.
Rock Hill then ended the game in the bottom of the fifth when Kidd was hit by a pitch, pinch-runner Kyle Stanfield went to second on Hankins’ base hit and then scored after two wild pitches.
Rock Hill had 12 hits with Kidd going 2-2 and Hankins 3-4.
Smith got the win as he gave up nine hits, struck out seven and did not walk a batter.
Portsmouth 020 10 = 3 9 2
Rock Hill 123 61 = 13 12 0
William Sturgill, Ethan Boggs (4) and Hayden Yerardi. Landon Smith and Kaleb Kidd. W-Smith (ER-3, K-7, BB-0). L-Sturgill (IP-3.0, H-8, R-8, BB-3, K-1). Boggs (IP-1.1, H-5, R-5, BB-1, K-1). Hitting-PHS: Bryce Wallace 1-3, Williams Sturgill 1-3, Reece Johnson 1-3, Isaac Kelly 1-3 3B, Jack Workman 2-2, Zach Kinney 1-2, Michael Duncan 1-2, Hayden Yerardi 1-2; RH: Seth Nichols 1-4 2B, Cody Lewis 1-3 2B, Kaleb Kidd 2-2, Logan Hankins 3-4, Kaden France 1-3, Jaret Bacorn 1-2, Landon Smith 1-2, Brayden Friend 2-3.