ROCKY RIVER, Ohio (April 15, 2024) -- For a second time in three days, Rocky River snatched an improbable victory from the jaws of defeat, and with a 2-1 victory over Great Lakes Conference West Division foe Elyria Catholic the Pirates extended their season-opening win streak. After taking down Lakewood 5-4 in 13 innings Saturday, the River Nine played the Panthers to a 0-0 tie through seven innings in Monday's home test. EC plated a solo run in the eighth, and then the Sons of Blackbeard won the game on a dramatic walk-off. two-run home run by senior pitcher Thomas Rossi in their half of the eighth.
Rocky River (9-0, 3-0 GLC West) got stellar pitching from Rossi, who pitched all eight innings, allowing just the one run on six hits and three walks. He struck out five in lowering his season ERA to a splendid 1.09 in 25 1/3 innings pitched. Rossi helped himself by getting out of a worse jam in the Panther eighth: after the first three batters reached, the senior hurler allowed the one run and eventually got a bases-loaded ground-ball out to quell the rally.
After EC pitcher Kyle Fairbanks had held the Double-R to six singles and three walks over the first seven frames, second baseman Anthony Ferchill led off the bottom of the eighth with a single to left. On the next pitch -- to Rossi in the 3-hole -- was off and running for second on a rocket blasted to left. The ball cleared the fence and both Ferchill and Rossi circuited the bags in jubilation, as the Pirates had staved off a first loss yet again.
Yet again in thrilling fashion.
And yet again, the Buccaneers hoisting the Jolly Roger signifying another swashbuckling conquest.
CANNON FIRE ...
FROM THE BUCS SCORE: Shortstop Josh Mommers reached thrice on two singles and walk. Mommers has reached base in every game this season and owns a sparkling .581 on-base percentage for the season. ... Rossi's game-winning hit marked his second round-tripper this spring. The runs batted in were his team-leading 11th and 12th of the season. Rossi has slashed a .425/.528/.788 (1.316 OPS) through the team's first nine games. ... With Monday's victory, the Pirates are now 3-0 at the Bus Yard this spring.
ON DECK: Rocky River will play a return game at Elyria Catholic Tuesday. The Pirates also have scheduled games this week on Thursday (at Normandy), Friday (at Lorain) and Saturday (vs. Avon).
by Skip Snow
# # # Pirates # # #