ROCKY RIVER, Ohio (April 22, 2024) -- Rocky River rode a six-run fifth inning and the strong left arm of junior hurler Joe Brant to its 13th straight victory Saturday. The yet-to-lose Pirates drew four walks and sent 10 men to the plate in the fifth. Every walk -- plus two more -- came in to score as the Maroon & White broke free from the visiting Avon Eagles in a non-conference tilt at Rocky River Field. Brant scattered a double, five singles, and three walks in going the route for River.

The Pirate port-sider allowed two runs in the Avon fourth, but he escaped a worse fate when the Eagles' No. 9 batter lined to center with the bases loaded to end the inning. Brant did not allow a runner into scoring position the rest of the way. He struck out six of the last nine batters he faced and finished with 10 punch-outs for the game.

Anthony Ferchill and Jeff Maslar each registered two-hit games for Rocky River (13-0). Both had stolen bases in a contest that saw the Sons of Blackbeard swipe five. Maslar also ledgered two RBIs.

Ferchill has now logged multiple hits in four straight games. For the season, he owns a 1.095 OPS with 15 RBIs.

The Pirates are now 6-0 at the Bus Yard. They're slated to be on the road twice this week (Tuesday at Buckeye, Thursday at Holy Name) before returning home to square off against Brookside Friday.

On Monday, the Ohio High School Baseball Coaches Association poll tabbed the Baseball Buccaneers as the top DII team in the state.

by Skip Snow

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