FAIRVIEW PARK, Ohio -- The Rocky River Pirates split a pair in a Wednesday Great Lakes Conference tri-match at Big Met Golf Course.

The Valley Raiders defended their home turf with a fine 157 on Big Met's 3,229-yard front nine. That tally was matched by the Westlake Demons, who defeated River in a fifth-man tiebreaker. The Pirates' 157 beat North Olmsted (201) handily.

Rocky River's tiebreaker loss -- by one stroke, 41 to 42 -- marked the squad's first in GLC play this season.

The Pirates (6-2, 6-1 GLC) were led by Luke Dietrich, who fired a 36, and Wes Bennett, who carded a career-best 38.

"We made some birdies today," said head coach David Hendrickson. "We're starting to see some solid rounds with missteps being kept in check."

Rounding out Rocky River's top-4 were a 41 (Robby Lang) and a 42 (Nick Tianello, Owen Toole).


CANNON FIRE ...

ON DECK: Rocky River will tee it up for a third straight day when the Pirates play a GLC road match on Thursday. River is slated to meet Elyria Catholic at Gray Hawk Golf Club in LaGrange, Ohio.

VALLEY-DICTORIAN: With his 36 on Wednesday, Luke Dietrich continued a hot streak on the Pirates' river valley home track. The sophomore has a Big Met nine-hole average of 38.8.


by Skip Snow

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