Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

PEDRO — The Rock Hill Redwomen may have sputtered, but their engines didn’t shut down.

Rock Hill had one of its smallest scoring out puts of the season but managed to edge the Coal Grove Lady Hornets 3-1 on Monday in an Ohio Valley Conference game.

Jill Hairston pitched a three-hitter, struck out 12 and walked one to get the win for the Redwomen.

“We had a tough time getting going tonight. Give Coal Grove credit. They came ready to play,” said Rock Hill coach Sam Gue.

“Thankfully, Jill had tremendous command and we were able to do enough offensively to get it done.”

Kasey Murphy pitched well in defeat. She gave up seven hits, struck out six and walked one.

Rock Hill snapped a scoreless tie with two runs in the third inning.

Taylor Hall singled, moved up on a ground out, took third on a hit by Jenna Lane and scored on an overthrow. Makenzi Harrah then doubled to score Lane.

Coal Grove made it 2-1 with a run in the top of the fifth when Lauren Meyer singled, stole second and scored on a throwing error.

Rock Hill got the run back in the bottom of the inning when Lane and Hairston singled, Harrah reached on an error and Riann Keating walked to force home Lane.

“Fundamentally, we have to improve. It’s a big week for us and I hope we are able to work on doing the little things better. Obviously, it is one day at a time,” said Gue.

On Wednesday, Rock Hill hosts Chesapeake and Coal Grove entertains Portsmouth.

Coal Grove 000 010 0 = 1 3 2

Rock Hill 002 010 x = 3 7 4

Kasey Murphy and Lauren Crum. Jill Hairston and Riann Keating. W-Hairston (K-12, BB-1). L-Murphy (K-6, BB-1). Hitting-CG: Lauren Meyer 1-3, Lauren Crum 1-3, McKenzie Moore 1-3; RH: Kaci Russell 1-4, Jenna Lane 2-4, Jill Hairston 1-3, Makenzi Harrah 1-3 rbi 2B, Riann Keating rbi, Lily McGinnis 1-3, Taylor Hall 1-3.