ROCKY RIVER, Ohio -- The Pirates were sunk by a nine-run Ranger top-of-the-sixth, as Rocky River dropped a Great Lakes Conference game to Lakewood on Friday. Pitchers for both sides combined to hang zeroes in 10-of-14 half-innings in the 9-5 Lakewood victory.

Rocky River (12-8, 7-5 GLC) led, 1-0, heading into the visitors' half of the sixth. Starting pitcher Katie Mommers had retired the Rangers in order in three of her five frames, but a leadoff single by Lakewood's No. 9 batter got the Rangers going in the sixth. Six hits and two walks later, LHS had staked out a 9-1 lead after sending 14 batters to the plate. The Pirates would counter with three runs in the bottom of the sixth and then the lone run of the seventh, but it wouldn't be enough, as the Rangers completed a two-game season sweep.

Kelsey Murphy (3-for-3, 2 RBIs, walk, triple) and Lindsay Hartman (2-for-3, double) powered a River offense which failed to create enough traffic at the top and bottom ends of the order.

Lakewood pitching was solid, racking up 12 strikeouts against just one base on balls.

Rocky River had a Saturday game at Elyria Catholic nixed due to inclement weather. The Pirates are scheduled to play Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday this week. Thursday's contest will be an OHSAA D-II sectional tournament game at Pirates Field.

by Skip Snow

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