ROCKY RIVER, Ohio (April 16, 2023) -- The Pirates are back in the Buckeye State and preparing for a busy week on the North Coast, weather-permitting. The Sons of Blackbeard will head into the third week of April with some big-time competition under their belts. On Tuesday-Thursday, Rocky River competed in the Mingo Bay Classic in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

Before heading down to the Grand Strand, River earned a 5-4 win over Valley Forge on April 6. The Pirates scored all their runs over the first two innings of that contest. Hudson Wissman went 3-for-3 with a double. Rees Heigle (five innings pitched) and Michael Perry (2 IP) combined to sling seven strong frames in and around four unearned runs.

At the Mingo Bay Classic, an event including 37 teams from around the nation, Rocky River (4-5) went 0-3. The Pirates were to have played a fourth contest, but that one was nixed due to inclement weather. The Pirates played Greensboro Day-N.C. (10-1 loss Tuesday), Camden-N.Y. (8-2 loss Wednesday), and Atlantic Shores-Va. (6-5 loss Thursday).

"We enjoyed the week," said coach Ed Piazza. "The outcome was not one we wanted, but we played some very talented mid-Atlantic teams, and that will help us improve down the road."


CANNON FIRE ...

CAP TIP: Rocky River's triumph against Valley Forge marked the 200th career win for Ed Piazza. River's dugout chief began his career with Columbia in 2005.

STAT PACK: Hudson Wissman was one of the Pirates' top bats in the Palmetto State. For the season, the senior owns a 1.440 OPS; he has thus far collected two doubles, a home run, and 11 runs batted in. ... Through nine games, River is averaging 5.0 runs per game while allowing 5.7.

by Skip Snow

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