Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

PEDRO — It was billed as a battle for first place and it lived up to its billing.

The Rock Hill Redwomen remained unbeaten as they topped the Ironton Lady Fighting Tigers 4-0 on Tuesday in an Ohio Valley Conference game that benefitted the Stephanie Spielman Cancer Awareness.

Rock Hill is now 15-0 on the season and 5-0 in the OVC.

“They’re a great team. It was a battle,” said Rock Hill coach Sam Gue. “We had a couple of big hits, some great pitching and some great defense.”

The pitching came from Jill Hairston who gave up one hit, struck out seven and walked two.

Ironton (8-3, 4-1) got a solid pitching effort from Kylee Metzger who struck out three and walked two.

Kaci Russell went 3-for-4 with a double and a home run to lead the Redwomen. Riann Keating was 3-3 with a double while McKenzy Barcus was 2-3 with a home run.

Kenzie Cremeens had Ironton’s lone hit.

Rock Hill got a run in the first inning when Russell doubled, moved up on a passed ball and Hairston squeezed her home.

Keating doubled, went to third on a sacrifice and scored on a passed ball as the lead went 2-0 in the second.

Barcus and Russell hit solo home runs in the fourth to complete the scoring.

On Wednesday, Rock Hill hosts South Point while Ironton visits Fairland.

Ironton 000 000 0 = 0 1 2

Rock Hill 110 200 x = 4 10 2

Kylee Metzger and Kenzie Cremeens. Jill Hairston and Riann Keating. W-Hairston (K-7, BB-2). L-Metzger (K-3, BB-2). Hitting—Ironton: Kenzie Cremeens 1-3; RH: Kaci Russell 3-4 2B HR rbi, Jenna Lane 1-4, Jill Hairston rbi, Makenzi Harrah 1-3, Riann Keating 3-3 2B, McKenzy Barcus 2-3 HR.