Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

CHESAPEAKE — When things turn Grimm for the Chesapeake Panthers, it’s a good thing.
Travis Grimm pitched 6.1 strong innings to get the win as the Panthers beat the South Point Pointers 8-4 in an Ohio Valley Conference game on Wednesday.
Grimm threw the maximum of 125 and was forced to be relieved in the seventh after striking out nine, walking three and allowing three earned.
“He’s what did it for us tonight,” said Panthers’ coach Justin Davis. “He has a slider and he was able to throw it for strikes.”
South Point (7-6) went out to a 4-0 after two innings.
In the first, Drew Smith singled, Drake McClure walked and Brody Blackwell singled to load the bases and Smith scored on a wild pitch.
Ben Walls walked to load the bases, McClure scored on a wild pitch and Blackwell came home on a passed ball.
A run scored in the second when Smith singled, stole second and scored on McClure’s base hit.
The Panthers came back with two runs in the second.
Jonah Ridenour singled, A.J. Litteral walked, John Marshall put down a sacrifice and Levi Best reached on an error as two runs scored.
Chesapeake took a 5-4 lead in the third.
Trent Dearth singled and Grimm reached when his but was misplayed for an error. Ridenour was safe on an error as Dearth scored.
Devin Stevens grounded out to score Grimm and Litteral’s base hit drove home Ridenour.
The Panthers added three insurance runs in the sixth.
Marshall walked, Best hit into a fielder’s choice and Browning doubled. Dearth was intentionally walked but Thomas Sentz was safe on an error as two runs scored.
Grimm was walked intentionally and Dearth scored on a passed ball.
Dearth made a diving stop of a ground ball behind second base and threw out the runner to start the seventh.
He then came on in relief and got the next two batters out to end the game.
“Trent made one heck of a play. Jonah Ridenour did a nice job for us,” said Davis.
“This was a big win for us. We’re starting to play better. That was the best game we’ve played all season.”
Dearth was 2-3 for the Panthers.
Smith went 3-4 and McClure 3-3 to pace the Pointers.
South Point 310 000 0 = 4 8 4
Chesapeake 023 003 x = 8 7 1
Brycen McCann, Drew Smith (3) and Drake McClure. Travis Grimm, Trent Dearth (7) and Jonah Ridenour. Grimm (IP-6.1, K-9, BB-5, H-8, R-3, ER-3). Dearth (IP-0.2). L-McCann (IP-2.2, H-4, R-5, ER-0, K-2, BB-1). Smith (IP-3.1, H-3, R-3, ER-1, K-3, BB-3). Hitting-SP: Drew Smith 3-4, Drake McClure 3-3 rbi, Brody Blackwell 1-4, Ben Walls 1-2; Chesy: Austin Browning 1-4 2B, Trent Dearth 2-3, Thomas Sentz 1-4 2-rbi, Travis Grimm 1-3, Jonah Ridenour 1-3 rbi, Devin Stevens rbi, A.J. Litteral 1-2 rbi.