Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

PEDRO — The Rock Hill Redmen were a big hit.
In fact, they were a lot of big hits.
The Redmen banged out 17 hits and Nick Blankenship pitched a three-hitter as they beat the Portsmouth Trojans 13-0 in a five-inning Ohio Valley Conference game on Wednesday.
“It was a good bounce-back win. We hit the ball really well. We made them throw strikes and we were able to put the ball in play,” said Redmen coach Barry Litteral.
“Nick threw a really good ball game. He was throwing strikes. He didn’t walk anyone. We only had one error and Nick VanKuren played a really good second base.”
Blankenship struck out six and did not issue a walk. He was aided by three double plays.
Blankenship helped himself by going 3-4. Jake Blagg was 2-2, Brayden Friend was 2-3 with a double, Seth Nichols was 2-3 and Kaleb Kidd was 2-4.
Rock Hill (14-5, 10-3) took charge with seven runs in the second inning.
Blankenship singled, Jordan Griffith got a hit, both moved up on a fly out and scored on a hit by Blagg.
An error sent Blagg to third and he scored on Nichols’ hit. Nichols stole second and came home on Logan Hankins’ base hit. Hankins moved up on the throw home and scored on Kaleb Kidd’s base hit.
Kadin France doubled to score Kidd and Landon Smith singled home France.
The Redmen added a run in the third when Friend doubled, took third on an error and scored on Blagg’s sacrifice fly.
The final five runs scored in the fourth.
Blankenship singled, Isaiah McFann was safe on an error and Friend had an RBI single. Blagg singled in a run and McFann scored on a balk. Nichols singled home Blagg and moved up when Kidd was safe on an error.
Casey McCormick singled to load the bases and Tyler Bruce had an RBI single to cap the rally.
Portsmouth 000 00 = 0 3 5
Rock Hill 071 5x = 13 17 1
Ethan Boggs, William Sturgill (4) and Caeleb McGraw. Nick Blankenship and Kaleb Kidd. W-Blankenship (K-6, BB-0). L-Boggs. Hitting-PHS: Bryce Wallace 1-2, Drew Rowe 1-2, Ethan Boggs 1-2; RH: Jake Blagg 2-2, Seth Nichols 2-3, Logan Hankins 1-3, Kaleb Kidd 2-4, Kadin France 1-3 2B, Casey McCormick 1-1, Landon Smith 1-2, Tyler Bruce 1-2, Nick Blankenship 3-4, Jordan Griffith 1-2, Brayden Friend 2-3 2B.