CHESAPEAKE - By winning in a walk the Fairland Dragons took one giant step Thursday.

Fairland routed the Chesapeake Panthers 12-3 in an Ohio Valley Conference showdown that put the Dragons one step closer to a league title.

"That was a big one, but we're still not quite there. We don't want to let down now," Fairland coach Roger Snyder said.

The Dragons play at Rock Hill Friday and can clinch at least a share of the title with a win. Chesapeake goes to River Valley Friday and still has a game with Rock Hill.

Fairland is now 12-3 overall and 7-2 in the OVC. Chesapeake is now 9-6 and 6-2 in the league.

"We were a little more focused today and we were putting the ball in play," Snyder said. "When Chesapeake got close, we got back after them. I was pretty proud of them."

Panthers coach Joe Waugh said his team was on an emotional rollercoaster after an 8-7 win over South Point Wednesday.

"Fairland played a good game. They hit the ball really well. We got back in the game, but we just made too many mistakes. Fairland came to play and they deserved to win," Panthers coach Joe Waugh said.

Cory McKnight notched the win as he went the distance. He struck out eight and did not walk a batter. Jeff Gilkison took the loss as he walked five and struck out five.

P.J. Rase doubled, went to third on an error and scored on a double play to get the Panthers even in the bottom of the inning.

The Dragons came back with three runs in the second to take the lead for good.

Bo Adams, Nick Zundel and Hill all singled to load the bases. An error scored Adams and Greg Boston's base hit scored two more.

Chesapeake got within 4-3 in the bottom of the fourth.

Justin Finley was safe on an error, Matt Whitmore reached on an error and Keith Marcum doubled the runners home.

The rest of the game belonged to Fairland.

The lead went to 7-3 in the fifth inning.

Matt Clark walked, took second on a bad pickoff play and Fuller singled him home. Fuller took third on an error and scored on a wild pitch. Zundel was hit by a pitch and pinch-runner Tyler Bowman came home on a hit by Hill.

Russell hit a two-out solo home run in the sixth as Fairland went ahead 8-3.

The Dragons added four more runs in the seventh inning.

Bowman, Love and Hill all singled for a run. McKnight doubled home two runs and Russell doubled in McKnight.

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Chesapeake 1002000-365

Cory McKnight and Adam Fuller. Jeff Gilkison, P.J. Rase (6) and Justin Finley. W-McKnight (8-K, 0-W). L-Gilkison (5-K, 5-W, 1-HBP). 2B-Fairland: Cory McKnight 2, Zacc Russell; Chesapeake: P.J. Rase, Keith Marcum. HR-Fairland: Zacc Russell. Hitting-Fairland: Mike Hill 3-5 (2 rbi), Cory McKnight 2-3 (3 rbi), Greg Boster 1-5 (2 rbi), Zacc Russell 3-5 (2 rbi), Adam Fuller 2-5 (rbi), Bo Adams 1-4, Tyler Bowman 1-3, Nick Zundel 1-3, Nolan Love 1-1; Chesapeake: P.J. Rase 1-3, Keith Marcum 2-3, Kersten Harris 1-2, Joey Stallo 1-1, Kermit Adkins 1-1.