Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

CHESAPEAKE — The Chesapeake Panthers know how to battle back.

The Panthers battled back on Friday to beat South Point and then beat the Rock Hill Redmen 3-2 on Monday in an Ohio Valley Conference game that saw them down to their final out.

With the scored tied and two outs in the bottom of the seventh, Blake Ashworth beat out an infield hit. Dakota Blankenship singled and Jamey Mills hit a single that landed on the left field foul line to score pinch-runner Austin Browning with the winning run.

“We just didn’t execute and they were able to get the hits when they needed,” said Rock Hill coach Barry Litteral. “Cody (Lewis) pitched well. Chesapeake was able to find the holes.”

The Panthers took a 2-0 lead in the first when Casey McComas reached on an error, Kolton Webb and Blankenship singled to load the bases and Ashworth had a two-run single.

“Cody settled down and they didn’t get much after that, but we couldn’t’ really get anything going until the seventh,” said Litteral.

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

Lewis was safe on an error, Kaleb Kidd singled him to third and stole second base. Trae Crabtree reached on a fielder’s choice as the run scored.

An out later, Jake Blagg his a sacrifice fly to score Kidd.

Derek Morris got the win in relief for the Panthers (2-2, 2-0).

Lewis went the distance and took the loss for Rock Hill (4-1, 1-1). He struck out seven and walked two.

Ashworth was 2-3 whiel Webb and Blankenship were each 2-4.

Kidd was 3-3 for Rock Hill.

On Wednesday, Rock Hill visits South Point at 12:30 p.m. and Chesapeake hosts Portsmouth.

Rock Hill 000 000 2 = 2 5 2

Chesapeake 200 000 1 = 3 8 1

Cody Lewis and Kaleb Kidd. Kolton Webb, Derek Morris (6) and Blake Ashworth. W-Morris (IP-1.2, K-2, BB-2, H-1). Webb (IP-5.1, H-4, K-6, BB-1, HBP-1). L-Lewis (K-7, BB-2, ER-2). Hitting-RH: Jake Blagg 1-2 3B, Brandon Schob 1-3, Kaleb Kidd 3-3; Chesapeake: Kolton Webb 2-4, Dakota Blankenship 2-4, Blake Ashworth 2-3, Jamey Mills 1-4, Dalton Nida 1-3.