Published: May 13, 2008 12:21 am            

Defense backs DeHoff; Devils beat Rose Hill

ASHLAND — Behind efficient pitching and solid defense, Russell was able to hold off Rose Hill Christian, 3-1, at Central Park on Monday night.

Leading by that score in the bottom of the seventh with Rose Hill’s tying run on base, Red Devils pitcher Drake DeHoff retired three in a row to get a complete game victory.

Russell coach Mike Martino made a visit to the mound after the first two batters reached base.

“We have this saying,” Martino said. “We say, ‘We’re one pitch away.’ I told Drake, ‘You’re just a couple pitches away. Just hit your spots and battle.’”

DeHoff battled out of some earlier jams as well.

Rose Hill (7-18) scored its only run in the second inning after Jacob Mullen was walked and then scored on a misplayed fly ball.

DeHoff walked three batters in the inning, but got out of the frame allowing only one run as Rose Hill left the bases loaded.

“We got down to the bottom of our order and they are just not producing,” said Royals coach Dale Hensley.

While a Russell error brought in the Royals’ lone run, the Red Devils played nearly flawless defense.

Russell (11-13) turned two infield double plays in the game and also got a diving catch from its center fielder, Drew Braden, in the fifth inning, which robbed an extra base hit from Matt Fultz.

“This is the time of year you hope the defense plays a little better,” Martino said. “They’re settled in now and made plays tonight.”

According to Martino, DeHoff has been Russell’s most consistent pitcher, but is usually plagued by shaky defense behind him.

DeHoff struck out just two batters and gave up seven hits in seven innings.

Rose Hill supplied a complete-game pitcher of its own. Jacob Mullen’s only major trouble came in the fourth inning.

Mullen walked B.J. Hamilton and Tyler DeHoff to begin the inning, which brought up sophomore third baseman Navarone Alleshouse, who leads Russell in batting average, hits and doubles.

The right-handed swinging Alleshouse smacked a two-run double to right-center field, driving in Hamilton and DeHoff.

“That’s who we wanted up there (in that situation),” Martino said. “He’s been hitting a lot of balls to right field this year. For a sophomore to understand that in big situations is fantastic.”

Alleshouse later scored on a dropped fly ball in left field, which gave Russell a 3-1 lead.

“When you walk those two guys and get an error out there, you open the door and give away three runs,” Hensley said.

“We’ve played pretty well the last four or five games. We just can’t get that hit or that one play that we need to turn it around,” he added. Rose Hill had won four of its last five before the loss.

Aside from the fourth inning, Mullen was not scored upon. He threw seven innings, gave up seven hits and struck out three.

Russell threatened to add more runs in the sixth and seventh but stranded five baserunners in the span.

“(Mullen) did an outstanding job tonight,” Martino said. “He kept us off balance, and I tip my hat to him.”

However, Mullen was saddled with the loss. DeHoff earned the victory for Russell, which will face Lawrence County tonight. Rose Hill travels to Raceland.



RUSSELL 000 300 0 — 3 7 1

ROSE HILL 010 000 0 — 1 7 2

D. DeHoff and Rice; Mullen and Fultz. W—D. DeHoff. L—Mullen. 2B—Russell, Alleshouse, Rose Hill, Gambill.

        

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