By JIM WALKER

Tribune Sports Editor

PROCTORVILLE — It’s not the number of hits but when you get them.

The Fairland Dragons managed just six hits but they came at the right times as they handed the Rock Hill Redmen their first loss Monday in a key Ohio Valley Conference game.

“Neither team hit well, but we got clutch hits,” said Fairland coach Bryan Ward. “It was a well-played game. There were no errors and it was well-pitched.”

Alex Thackston tossed a four-hitter for the Dragons. He struck out eight and walked only one.

Ryan Hackworth pitched well in defeat. He gave up only six hits, struck out four and walked three.

“The kids played well, we just didn’t get key hits,” said Redmen coach Barry Litteral. “Hackworth made just two bad pitches and they hit them.”

Fairland is now 8-7 and 4-1 in the OVC. Rock Hill fell to 9-1 and remained atop the league at 6-1.

After a scoreless first inning, Fairland got a run in the second when Thackston was hit by a pitch leading off, moved up on a ground out and scored on a double by Alec Warner.

Eric Riley fell behind 0-2 in the fifth only to work his way on with a walk and Chad Fisher delivered what proved to be the winning blow as he crashed a two-run homer and it was 3-0.

Rock Hill got its run in the seventh when Jonathan Schob singled, Cody Massie doubled and Chris Donohue hit a sacrifice fly.

But Thackston got a strikeout and a fly ball to end the game.

Fairland plays at River Valley Tuesday in a league game. Rock Hill visits South Point on Wednesday for two games.

Rock Hill 000 000 1 = 1 4 0

Fairland 010 020 x = 3 6 0

Ryan Hackworth and Cody Massie. Alex Thackston and Josh Ross. W-Thackston (K-8, BB-1). L-Hackworth (K-4, BB-3, HBP-1). 2B-RH: Cody Massie; Fairland: Jon Baise, Josh Ross, Alec Warner. HR-Fairland: Chad Fisher. Hitting-Rock Hill: Shane Russell 1-3, Jonathan Schob 1-3, Cody Massie 1-2, Ryan Depriest 1-2; Fairland: Jon Baise 1-3, Chad Fisher 2-3 2-rbi, Josh Ross 1-3, Matt Campbell 1-3, Alec Warner 1-2 rbi.