FAIRVIEW PARK, Ohio -- Late-round birdies by Will Bennett and Hayden Weaver keyed a hard-fought home-course win for the Pirates on Thursday afternoon.

The son of Chris and Christy Bennett birdied hole Nos. 7 and 9 in resurrecting a solid 39 after a sluggish start. The son of Jason and Kimber Weaver sank a 15-foot putt for a red number of his own on the par-5 seventh. The birdies keyed a 163-165 Rocky River victory over Brecksville on what marked Senior Day for the Maroon & White.

"We had such a slow start," said Head Coach David Hendrickson of his team's effort at Big Met Golf Course. "But the guys really pulled it together to gut out the win, and I'm so happy for these six seniors."

The six seniors -- Bennett, Weaver, Aidan and Matthew McDonald, Nathan Robertson, and John Snyder -- all played in contest, and the veterans led River to its sixth victory over its last seven matches.

The sons of Harry and Debbie McDonald carded rounds of 44 (Aidan) and 51 (Matthew) on what was a beautiful early autumn day in the valley which dips into the river by the same name as the home team. The son of David and Michelle Snyder posted a season-best 41 to finish as the Pirates' No. 3. The son of Kevin and Anita Robertson fired a 45.

Rocky River (10-2) has now wo two matches by a two-stroke margin in a span of eight days. On Sept. 9, River beat Bay, 153-155, at Sweetbriar Golf Club.

The Pirates are slated to continue their busy week with a fourth straight day of play when they visit Ridgewood Golf Course on Friday. Ridgewood will host a Great Lakes Conference quad-match between Rocky River, Valley Forge, Parma, and Normandy.

by Skip Snow