Pawleys Island, S.C. (April 25, 2025) -- On Friday, Rocky River closed out its participation in the South Atlantic Bank Invitational. The Sons of Blackbeard hoisted crooked numbers in three frames, withstood a midgame charge from their diamond foes, and defeated the Warriors of Andrew Jackson Academy (South Carolina) 10-5.

The Pirates were undone by four errors in the contest. And those miscues fed into a rally by the Warriors that knotted the game at 5-5 in the top of the fourth inning. But River regained the lead -- what had been a 5-0 advantage -- with a four-run bottom of the fifth, and the Pirates went on to level their tournament record at 2-2. 

Rocky River's fifth-inning rally was built some Warrior wildness -- three walks and two hit batters, a single by first baseman Matt Gutia, and a sacrifice fly by second baseman Jackson Rood. For the game, River outhit Jackson 9-5, and the Pirates drew 11 walks.    

Freshman reliver Nathan Ishmael logged a near-flawless 2-2/3-inning stint to close out the victory at Waccamaw High School, one of eight sites in and around the Myrtle Beach area hosting tournament games. Ishmael struck out a batter and did not allow a hit or walk in what marked his first mound action.

Shortstop Josh Mommers led the Pirate parade around the bags. The senior reached base in each of five plate appearances with two singles and three walks. Mommers scored three runs. Third baseman Henry Tovissi went 2-for-4 with a walk. The perhaps appropriately-named Bryant Hurt was twice hit by pitches and drew two bases on balls.

Rocky River (8-5) is slated to return to Buckeye State and Cleveland West Conference play on Monday. A scheduled 5 p.m. game at North Olmsted opens a busy four-game week for the Maroon & White.

by Skip Snow

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