SANDUSKY, Ohio -- Rocky River went 1-1 in a neutral-site split doubleheader Saturday. The Pirates (2-1) defeated Vermilion 8-6 before falling to Huron 13-6.

In the opener against the Sailors, the Double-R tallied four runs in the top of the first, three more in the top of the fourth and then survived Vermilion chipping away at the 7-0 lead the rest of the way. Gavin O'Brien, Tommy Rossi, and Braeden Spies registered three hits each. O'Brien started the game and allowed five runs on five hits and two walks over 4-1/3 innings. Anthony Ferchill (2-1/3, one earned run) and Spies (scoreless 1/3) went the rest of the way on the mound.

River banged out 16 hits in that first game. But three Pirate pitchers combined to yield 17 hits in the second game. The game-2 offense was paced by Rossi and Julian Patti, who both had two hits, two runs batted in, and a  stolen base. The Pirates managed 11 hits in game 2, but all 11 were singles.

Spies finished the day 5-for-8 at the plate and is 9-for-12 (.750) through the team's first three games.

Rocky River is scheduled to return to the Bus Yard for a scheduled game -- the team's Great Lakes Conference opener -- Tuesday against the Normandy Invaders (4:30 p.m.).

by Skip Snow

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