By JIM WALKER

Tribune Sports Editor

 

PEDRO — In close games, it’s always the little things that make the difference.

Two errors and some base running mistakes proved to be the difference as the Gallipolis Blue Devils slipped past the Rock Hill Redmen 4-3 on Tuesday.

“It was the little things that hurt us,” said Rock Hill coach Barry Litteral.

“But the kids battled had. They were down 4-0 and fought back. It was a good ball game. It could have gone either way.”

John Faro — who got the win — and Jimbo Clagg combined to allow eight hits, five strikeouts and five walks.

Jonathan Schob pitched well in defeat. He gave up five hits, struck out four, walked two and only two runs were earned.

Drew Kidd was 2-3 with a double to lead the Redmen offense. Jack Goodwin and Schob were 2-4.

Justin Bailey walked, stole second and scored on Clagg’s base hit as Gallipolis went up 1-0 in the first inning.

An error, a base hit, a double steal and Brandon Taylor’s two-run singled extended the lead to 3-0 in the second inning.

Bailey reached on a 3-base error and scored on Drew Young’s sacrifice fly in the top of the fourth and it was 4-0.

Rock Hill (1-1) got a run back in the bottom of the inning when Kidd walked, moved up on a wild pitch and scored on Schob’s hit.

The Redmen cut the deficit to 4-3 in the fifth inning.

Ryan Depriest walked, stole second and came home on Kidd’s double. A throwing error from the outfield send Kidd to third base and he scored on Schob’s hit.

The Redmen got the first two runners on in the seventh inning but the runner at second base was picked off. Rock Hill left the bases loaded.

Rock Hill plays at 7 p.m. on Wednesday at Greenup County, Ky.

Gallipolis 121 000 0 = 4 5 1

Rock Hill 001 020 0 = 3 8 2

John Faro, Jimbo Clagg (5) and Ty Warnimont. Jonathan Schob and Austin Kidd. W-Faro (4.3 IP, 6-H, 3-R, 2-K, 3-BB). L-Schob (1-ER, 4-K, 2-BB). 2B-Gallipolis: Jimbo Clagg; RH: Drew Kidd, Matt Jenkins. Hitting-Gallipolis: Faro 1-3, Clagg 1-2, Taylor 1-3, Russell 1-3, Graham 1-3; Rock Hill: Drew Kidd 2-3, Jonathan Schob 2-4, Jack Goodwin 2-4, Matt Jenkins 1-3, Evan Morris 1-3.