Rock Hill rallies to nip Belpre, 3-2

Published 2:18 am Friday, May 16, 2014

Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

PEDRO — The Rock Hill Redmen kept waiting for something to happen.

Finally, it did.

The Redmen trailed going into the bottom of the sixth inning when they scored three runs on just one hit as they edged the Belpre Eagles 3-2 Wednesday in the Division III sectional tournament.

“We got people on and we just couldn’t get a key hit,” said Rock Hill coach Barry Litteral. “But we just stay in the game defensively and waited for our opportunity and we finally got something going in the sixth.

Trailing 2-0, Jack Goodwin walked and Jonathan Joseph singled and Jordan Hairston walked to load the bases to start the inning.

Corey Noel hit into a fielder’s choice and Goodwin scored on the catcher’s error when he failed to touch home plate. Goodwin was originally called out until the umpire saw the catcher’s foot was off the plate.

Brandon Schob hit into a fielder’s choice as Joseph scored to tie the game. Chance Blankenship walked to load the bases and Drew McClaskey hit a comebacker. However, the pitcher elected to throw to second base to start a double play but the Eagles got only a force out as the go-ahead run scored.

Belpre took a 1-0 lead in the fourth.

Ryan Epperly walked, Tavian Miller singled, Hayden Plummner doubled but Epperly was thrown out at home. After a walk, Mike Simonlette singled in a run.

The Eagles (8-14) took a 2-0 lead in the top of the sixth when Nick Therihault singled and Simonlette doubled.

Joseph got the complete game win as he struck out seven and walked two for Rock Hill (13-7).

Rock Hill hosts the sectonal finals at 11 a.m. Saturday.

Belpre 000 101 0 = 2 9 1

Rock Hill 000 003 x = 3 7 0

Mike Simonlette, Tavian Miller (6), Hayden Plummer (6) and Ryan Epperly. Jonathan Joseph and Jordan Hairston. W-Joseph (ER-2, BB-2, K-7). L-Miller. Hitting-Belpre: Kole Counts 2-4, Ryan Epperly 1-3, Tavian Miller 1-4, Hayden Plummer 1-3, Nick Therihault 1-2, Mike Simonlette 2-3, Brennen Ferrell 1-3; RH: Jonah Cox 2-4 2B, Jack Goodwin 1-2, Jonathan Joseph 1-3, Jordan Hairston 1-2, Corey Noel 1-3, Drew McClaskey 1-3. 2B-Belpre: Hayden Plummer, Mike Simonlette.