ROCKY RIVER, Ohio (April 16, 2025) -- There was no late fade in this one. A day after Rocky River had coughed up lead in an eventual loss to Normandy, the Pirates bolted to an early lead and held it firmly throughout in a 13-2 win over Olmsted Falls.

Behind a fine start by senior southpaw Joe Brant and well-timed hits up and down the batting order, the Maroon & White outhit the visiting Bulldogs 11-2 and won for the fourth time in their last five games. The Pirates (5-3) hoisted crooked numbers early and often in taking the non-conference affair in run-rule fashion.

Brant went 4-2/3 innings, yielding two unearned runs on a single and three walks while fanning five. At the plate, River got a hit from every spot in the order save the third. And in that No. 3 slot, shortstop Josh Mommers went 0-for-2 with a pair of walks, so even there no production was lost.

Jeff Maslar (2-for-4) and Michael Perry (2-for-3) each clocked multi-hit games. Maslar has four hits over the team's last two games and owns a .357 on-base percentage for the season.

Matt Gutia (1-for-3, three RBIs), Andrew Locsei (1-for-3, 2 RBI), and Henry Tovissi (1-for-1, 2 RBI) all ledgered multiple runs batted in.

On Thursday, the Sons of Blackbeard are scheduled to host their third home game in as many days. River is slated to host a Cleveland West Conference battle against Valley Forge (Rocky River Field, 5 p.m.).

by Skip Snow

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