Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

PEDRO — Nobody is perfect, not even Rock Hill Redwomen’s Jill Hairston.
Unless she’s on the pitcher’s mound.
Hairston opened the season with a five-inning perfect game as the Redwomen blanked the Lady Greyhounds 13-0 in the third annual “Queen of the Hill” tournament.
Hairston not only pitched a perfect game, she struck out 11 of the 15 batters she faced.
“Jill was exceptionally good on the mound. She is a competitor and knows what it takes to win. I can’t say enough about her as a teammate and leader on this team,” said first-year head coach Brooke Long.
Rock Hill had 11 hits led by Grace Stevens who was 2-3 with a home run and four runs batted in.
Tori Pancake was 2-3 with a double, Rileigh Morris 2-2 with a home run and two RBIs. Hairston went 1-2.
“We had some young players step up today. We’re hitting the ball well,” said Long.
Rock Hill and the Portsmouth Clay Lady Panthers game ended in a 5-5 tie. However, due to the 1:40 time restraints, in the event of a tie the score reverts back to the team leading in the previous inning that allowed Clay to win 5-4.
“Clay is a very good team. They are well-coached and know the game of softball,” said Long. “I was proud of the way our team battled to put ourselves in a position to win the game.”
Clay took a 2-0 lead in the second but Rock Hill scored four times in the bottom of the inning.
Madison Harper walked and Anna Darby singled her home. Pancake reached on an error, and Morris and Samantha Stamper followed with hits for a run. Stevens then singled in the final run.
Clay scored three in the third to lead 5-4 but Rock Hill tied the game in the bottom of the seventh.
Hairston walked and came around to score on an error.
“It was a great day for our third annual Queen of the Hill Tournament,” said Long. “Volunteers throughout the community came together to help make this year another successful year.”
Rock Hill plays at 5 p.m. Tuesday at Northwest.
First Game
Manchester        000    00    =    0    0    2
Rock Hill        340    6x    =    13    11    0
Jones and Young. Jill Hairston and Grace Stevens. W-Hairston (K-11, BB-0). L-Jones (K-2, BB-7). Hitting-RH: Jill Hairston 1-2 sac, Tori Pancake 2-3 2B RBI, Grace Stevens 2-3 HR 4-RBI, Rileigh Morris 2-2 HR 2-RBI.
Second Game
Ports. Clay    023    000    0    =    5    10    2
Rock Hill    040    000    1    =    5    10    2
Oliver and Wells. Jill Hairston and Grace Stevens. W-Oliver (K-4, BB-4). L-Hairston (K-4, BB-1). Hitting-Clay: Hayslip 2-3, Swain 2-3; RH: Anna Darby 3-4 RBI, Madison Harper 1-2, Samantha Stamper 2-2 RBI, Grace Stevens 1-3 2-RBI.