NEFFS — Powerful Indian Creek had its hands full with youthful Bellaire for five innings before exploding in the sixth for a 13-2 triumph on windy John Blacker Field.

The Redskins held a slim 4-2 lead after five. The Creek attack came alive in huge fashion in the sixth, plating nine runs on seven hits, two walks and two Big Red errors to enact the OHSAA mercy rule.

The win was the ninth against just two blemishes for the Wintersville-based crew and solidifies its playoff hopes in the OVAC 4A race. Creek welcomes Beaver Local today.

“We came out a little flat,” Creek head coach Mike Cottis noted. “But we did a nice job later on. We had some nice swings in the sixth.

“I thought we played really well defensively. We played error-free baseball,” he continued. “Caleb (Bodo) did a nice job on the mound for us and Gavin (Pownall) got it done in relief.”

Bellaire remains winless on the campaign but acquitted itself quite nicely for five innings. The Big Reds welcome Union Local today.

Bellaire’s Grant Vasey pitched well in his five innings of work. He fanned three and passed two.

Two teams were deadlocked at 0-0 after two innings before Creek broke loose for four runs in the third. Hunter Rusnak delivered a two-run single while two walks and two errors pushed across two more tallies.

Bellaire, still an inexperienced work in progress, halved the deficit in the fourth.

Senior standout Andrew LaMotte opened the frame with a single before Landon Preston coaxed a walk. Junior Riley Zonker crushed a line drive double to left, plating his two teammates for a 4-2 reading.

Creek put on an offensive exhibition in the sixth. Dom DeGruttoia delivered two hits in the frame as did Nick Maurer while Ty Householder slammed a two-run double and Sylus Hyde knocked in two more with a single. Sal Barcalow chipped in with a run-scoring single and Pownall had a sac fly.

The Redskins also took advantage of two Big Red errors and a base on balls.

“We were right there after five innings,” Bellaire High head coach Bailey McGrath offered. “But they were able to get some timely hits and made the most of their opportunities.

“I thought Grant pitched well. He threw a quality five innings,” added the former Bridgeport High athletic standout. “We lost to a very good team today. Give Creek credit, they responded when the game was still up for grabs.”

Bodo went three-and-a third innings, striking out three and walking two. Pownall finished up with one strikeout and no walks.

“Bellaire is a scrappy bunch. They gave us all we could handle for five innings,” Cottis said. “They are a young team and Bailey is doing a nice job with them.”

The Big Reds mustered just three hits, two coming off the bat of LaMotte.