Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

PEDRO — The battery was fully charged.

Pitcher Jill Hairston threw a pair of one-hitters and catcher Riann Keating had three hits as the Rock Hill Redwomen won both their season-opening games at the Queen of the Hill Classic on Saturday.

Rock Hill blanked the Manchester Lady Greyhounds 13-0 in five innings and shutout the Portsmouth West Lady Senators 6-0.

“The girls came ready to play,” said Rock Hill coach Sam Gue. “Jill and Riann were outstanding today. Combine that with a solid defensive effort and timely hitting, we were able to have some success.

“Jenna (Lane) is seeing the ball really well right now and the top of our order provides us the opportunity to be aggressive offensively.”

In the first game against Manchester, Hairston struck out 11 and walked just one to get the win. Hairston and Keating each went 2-for-3 with Keating driving home a pair of runs.

Hairston was impressive again against West as she pitched a seven inning one-hitter. She fanned seven and did not walk a batter.

The Redwomen banged out 13 hits led by Lane who was 4-for-4 and two runs scored.

Kaci Russell also had a big game as she went 3-4 with two runs and two stolen bases. Blaike Roberts was 2-3 with a double and two runs batted in, Makenzi Harrah was 2-4 with an RBI, Anna Darby 1-2 with two runs and a stolen base, and Keating was 1-4.

Rock Hill will play Jellico High School at 2 p.m. Monday and West High School at 5:30 on Tuesday in Knoxville, TN.

“We’re looking forward to playing in Knoxville the next few days,” said Gue. “Our kids are excited about the trip and exited about competing.”

First Game

Manchester 000 00 = 0 1 4

Rock Hill 910 3x = 13 4 0

Morgan Johnson and Josie Campbell. Jill Hairston and Keating. W-Hairston (K-11, BB-1). L-Johnson (K-4, BB-6). Hitting-M: Josie Campbell 1-2; RH: Jill Hairston 2-3, Riann Keating 2-3 rbi-2.

Second Game

Ports. West 000 000 0 = 0 1 1

Rock Hill 201 012 x = 6 13 1

Kayleigh Coleman and Makayla White. Jill Hairston and Riann Keating. W-Hairston (K-7, BB-0). L-Coleman (K-1, BB-2). Hitting–PW: Kayleigh Coleman 1-2; RH: Kaci Russell 3-4 r-2 sb-2, Jenna Lane 4-4 r-2 sb, Makenzi Harrah 2-4 rbi, Riann Keating 1-4, Anna Darby 1-3 r-2 sb, Blaike Roberts 2-3 2B rbi-2.