MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (April 4, 2024) -- Rocky River remained unbeaten on the young season, as the Pirates hoisted a five-spot in the top of the third inning and then held on for a 10-6 victory over Lake City (S.C.) in Thursday-afternoon action at the South Atlantic Bank Invitational.

Three River doubles (Joe Brant, Michael Perry, Griffin Hill) highlighted the five-run outburst. Hill's two-bagger came with two outs and plated two Pirate runs. With that, starter Rees Heigle was staked to a 6-1 cushion. Heigle would go 4 1/3 innings before Andrew Locsei and Brant came on to provide 2 2/3 innings of relief.

The Panthers would score in each of their last three at-bats -- three runs in the fifth inning and then solo runs in the sixth and seventh, but the Sons of Blackbeard also tacked on runs in their half of the fourth and seventh frames.

For the game, the Pirates (4-0) outhit the Panthers 9-6. Five of River's nine hits went for extra bases. Anthony Ferchill went 1-for-2 with a triple, a sacrifice fly, and three runs batted in. Josh Mommers went 2-for-2 with a triple, two walks, and a stolen base.

On the mound, Heigle (nine strikeouts), Locsei (1K), and Brant (2K) combined to whiff 12 Lake City batters.

Rocky River has scored 26 runs over its last three games.

The Baseball Buccaneers are slated to close out their Myrtle Beach trip with a 2 p.m. game Friday (vs. duPont Manual-Ky.).

by Skip Snow

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