Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

PEDRO — It was “Clutch Up” night for the South Point Pointers.
Brody Blackwell gave a clutch pitching performance and the Pointers got some clutch hits from Drew Smith, Drake McClure, Brycen McCann and Blackwell to edge the Rock Hill Redmen 4-3 in an Ohio Valley Conference game on Monday.
Blackwell gave up just four hits, struck out seven and walked five. Only one run was earned.
“Brody pitched a great ballgame,” said Pointers’ coach Larry Goodwin.
“We got some big hits from Drake McClure, Brody Blackwell, Drew Smith and the game-winning hit from Brycen McCann. It was a good win for us against a very good Rock Hill team.”
Landon Smith took the loss despite giving up only six hits, striking out 10 and walking four. Three of the runs were earned.
Semith went 2-3 with a double and Black well 2-4 with two runs batted in.
The game was tied 3-3 when the Pointers pushed the winning run across in the top of the seventh.
Smith got a one-out single, Ben Walls reached on an error, McClure was intentionally walked with two outs but McCann singled to drive in the winning run.
Blackwell then retired the side in order in the bottom of the seventh.
South Point (8-9, 5-7) took a 2-0 lead in the first.
Smith was hit by a pitch, stole second and scored when Blackwell singled. McClure then doubled home Blackwell.
Rock Hill (12-5, 9-3) got a run in the second on walks to Smith and Nick Blankenship and Jake Blagg’s two-out RBI single.
The Redmen tied the game in the third when Logan Hankins singled, stole second and scored on an error.
Each team got a run in the fifth.
The Pointers scored on a double by Smith and a single by Blackwell.
Rock Hill answered with a run in the bottom of the inning.
Seth Nichols walked, Hankins and Kaleb Kidd singled but centerfielder Smith threw behind Nichols at third base for the out.
Kadin France then reached on an error as Hankins scored.
Hankins was 2-4 for the Redmen.
South Point 200 010 1 = 4 6 4
Rock Hill 011 010 0 = 3 4 1
Brody Blackwell and Drake McClure. Landon Smith and Kaleb Kidd. W-Blackwell (ER-1, K-7, BB-5). L-Smith (ER-3, K-10, BB-4). Hitting-SP: Drew Smith 2-3 2B, Brody Blackwell 2-4 2-rbi, Drake McClure 1-2 2B rbi, Brycen McCann 1-4 rbi; RH: Jake Blagg 1-4 rbi, Logan Hankins 2-4, Kaleb Kidd 1-4.