AYNOR, S.C. -- Rocky River opened play in the Myrtle Beach-based South Atlantic Bank Invitational Tuesday. The Pirates leveraged a five-run third inning and outhit their opponents in the clutch, as they registered a 7-3 victory over Princeton (West Virginia).

Lefty Rees Heigle was the first of four River twirlers in the game, and he overcame a rocky start -- three walks in the first four batters he faced -- to deliver the Pirates to the sixth inning with a 6-1 lead. Much of the Buccaneer cushion was provided by River's big third inning. The Pirates made use of three singles, a triple (Josh Mommers), two walks, and two sacrifices in that outburst. The Maroon & White would go on to outhit the Tigers 7-3. Both sides were tagged with three errors.

Mommers' triple in the third plated two runs for the Pirates. He had three runs batted in as part of a 2-for-3 line and is now sporting an OPS of 1.580. Griffin Hill went 2-for-4 with 2 RBIs.

With runners in scoring position, Rocky River (7-3) went 5-for-8, and Princeton went 1-for-13.

Heigle (five innings, one unearned run) struck out 13 batters and lowered his season ERA to 2.07. He has whiffed 33 batters in 20-1/3 innings pitched.

River's play at the South Atlantic Bank Invitational will continue through Friday.

by Skip Snow

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