Key plays & pitching give Flyers 2-1 win over Panthers (video)

IRONTON — Key defensive plays from the Flyers defense and a strong pitching outing from Evan Aldridge proved to be the difference as Saint Joseph held on to beat the Portsmouth Clay Panthers 2-1 in a Southern Ohio Conference game on Monday night.

"Evan (Aldridge) gave us a great effort tonight," said Saint Joseph interim coach Nick Medinger. "We didn't get as many hits or base runners to help him, but he came through when we needed him to."

The game turned out to be a pitching duel between Aldridge and Clay's Zane Ball. Both hurlers allowed a total of nine hits and combined for 10 strikeouts, three walks, and one earned run.

In the end, Aldridge picked up the win, pitching a complete game with 6 strikeouts and allowing just a walk and an earned run.

Saint Joseph (6-5, 3-4 SOC) scored all their runs in the bottom of the first.

Rowe was able to reach base on a throwing to first that allowed him to go to second and then a passed ball moved him to third.

It was deja vu just a batter later, as Wes Neal reached on a throwing error that also allowed him to go to second. Rowe would score from third during the play.

Highlights from Saint Joseph's 2-1 win over Portsmouth Clay

Neal scored on a dropped pop fly in the infield to give the Flyers a 2-0 lead after one.

The Panthers appeared to have some momentum in the third and fourth innings and even had a chance to tie the game.

But those chances were shut down by the defense.

In the third, Rider was caught stealing when catcher Beckham Waginger threw down to second to get the second out of the inning.

Then in the fourth, the Panthers (11-6, 6-4) got two runners on base thanks to a throwing error and a single from Zane Ball. Both runners would end up at second and third with no outs.

But Aldridge was able to get the next batter to pop out to first base and then he fielded a bunt in front of home and tossed the ball to Waginger, who made the tag at home for the second out in the inning.

Carson Willis snagged a ground ball and was able to flip it to Mason Weber at first for the final out and preserve the two-run lead.

Medinger praised the Flyers' defense for making key plays to thwart Panthers' scoring chances.

"I was pleased with the defense. We made some crucial plays to keep them off the base path and off the board."

No code needed! Stock up on your favorite team apparel for the tournament!

Clay would finally scratch a run across in the fifth, when Aiden Ball singled into centerfield to drive home a run and cut the lead to 2-1.

The Panthers would even load the bases up in the inning. But Aldridge would field a roller back to him and throw the batter out at first to end the inning.

The score remained the same until the seventh, with Clay coming to bat with the top of their order coming and a chance to take the lead.

But Aldridge wasn't phased by the situation.

"My curveball was working for me all game and I knew if I got it over the plate, I would be fine," said Aldridge.

The junior retired the Panthers in order, getting the first two batters to fly out. Then got the final batter to ground out to second to get the win.

Ports. Clay 000 010 0 = 1 5 3

St. Joseph 200 000 x = 2 4 2

Zane Ball and Evan Rider. Evan Aldridge and Beckham Waginger. W-Aldridge (IP-7.0, H-5, R-1, ER-1, K-6, BB-1, WP-0). L-Evan Rider (IP-6.0, H-4, R-2, ER-0, K-4, BB-2, WP-0). Hitting- Portsmouth Clay: Evan Rider 1-3, Aiden Ball 1-4 RBI, Zane Ball 1-3, Dawson James 1-2, Isaiah Whitt 1-3; St. Joseph: Wesley Neal 1-3 RBI, Carson Willis 1-2, Beckham Waginger 2-3.