Chesapeake – It might have been Joe Waugh’s first career coaching win, but he was more concerned about the win itself.

Thursday, April 06, 2000

Chesapeake – It might have been Joe Waugh’s first career coaching win, but he was more concerned about the win itself. The Chesapeake Panthers did a couple of things when they rallied in the bottom of the sixth inning to beat the Fairland Dragons 8-6 Wednesday.

Not only was it Waugh’s first win, but it was the Panthers first win of the season and gave them a 1-0 record in the Ohio Valley Conference.

"That was a big win in many ways. I hope it’s the first of many more," Waugh said. "I was a little concerned going into the game. We got rained out Monday and we haven’t been able to work out. But the kids responded well."

Andy Clark pitched six innings to get the win while Zeb Best finished up for the save. Clark struck out seven and walked five while Best fanned two and walked one.

"Clark threw a good game. That’s what we needed. He was around the plate and that’s what it takes," said Waugh.

Down 6-5 in the bottom of the sixth, Todd Overly singled with one out to start the winning rally. Adam Pemberton and Joey Macri each reached on errors to load the bases.

A passed ball scored Overly, Clark walked to reload the bases, and Best delivered a two-run single to break the tie.

Overly and Best went 2-for-3 and Macri and Pemberton 2-4 to lead an 11-hit attack.

Jarrod Schneider was 2-2 and Toby Morrison and Kyle Leadmon 2-4 for Fairland (2-2, 0-1).

The Panthers took a 2-0 lead in the first when Pemberton singled, Macri had a run-scoring double, Best walked, and Michael Newman had an RBI single.

A run scored in the second when Pemberton tripled and Macri singled.

Fairland tied the game in the top of the third.

Schneider and Ryan Boso singled to put runners on the corners. Jeremy Louden hit a sacrifice fly, Stuart Shepherd walked, and Morrison had a two-run double.

Chesapeake regained the lead at 5-3 in the bottom of the inning.

Best started the inning with a hit, Noah Phillips walked, and a fielder’s choice moved the runners up a base.

Greg Lambert and Overly each delivered run-scoring singles.

Fairland had another three-run inning in the fifth to take the lead at 8-6.

Josh Dunfee and K. C. Jones walked, and Schneider put down a sacrifice bunt. Boso walked to load the bases, Louden slammed a two-run single, and a passed ball put the Dragons ahead.

Chesapeake is at Ironton Thursday and hosts South Point Friday in an OVC game. Fairland is at home Thursday against Green.

Fairland 003 300 0 – 6 8 2

Chesapeake 212 003 x – 8 11 2

K. C. Jones, Stuart Shepherd (3) and Jarrod Schneider. Andy Clark, Zeb Best (7) and Greg Lambert. W-Clark (7-K, 5-W). Save-Best (2-K, 1-W). L-Shepherd. 2B-Fairland: Toby Morrison, Kyle Leadmon; Chesapeake: Joey Macri. 3B-Chesapeake: Adam Pemberton. Hitting-Fairland: Toby Morrison 2-4, Kyle Leadmon 2-4, Jarrod Schneider 2-2; Chesapeake: Todd Overly 2-3, Zeb Best 2-3, Joey Macri 2-4, Adam Pemberton 2-4.