MEDINA, Ohio -- The Pirates returned to action, dropping a 3-2 decision at Buckeye Thursday.

The Bucks posted the only crooked number of a Great Lakes Conference West Division game otherwise dominated by pitching and defense when they plated two runs in the home half of the fifth inning. Two Buckeye hurlers combined to allow just six hits in the contest and none to the top three batters in the Rocky River batting order. Senior Ethan White countered with a fine effort for the Maroon & White. White allowed three runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out six.

River tallied its runs in solo fashion, one in the second -- on a pop-up infield double by Seamus Clark -- and one in the sixth -- on an RBI single by Danny Capka. Thomas Rossi scored both runs for the Pirates (4-5, 1-2 GLC West). The Bucks plated one run in the fourth and two in the fifth. In the fifth, they strung together three singles and a walk, all after two outs had been recorded.

Clark (single, double) and Rossi (double, walk) were the only River batters to reach twice in the game.

The Thursday GLC West battle marked Rocky River's first game since April 14. The Pirates are slated to play a non-conference tilt at North Ridgeville Friday.


by Skip Snow

# # # RR # # #