DAPHNE, Alabama - In the first game of Monday's Hank Aaron Classic play in Daphne, Fairhope's two-run third inning would be the difference in the 6A Pirate's 2-0 win over 3A Bayside.

The Admirals' debut in the prestigious tournament against the three-time defending champions produced a hard fought battle, but not a win.

RBIs in the top of the second inning by Sam Kent and Jerrod Hathcock would be enough offense for Fairhope. Starter Toby Thomas went 5-2/3s to pick up the shutout win with a strong 2-1/3 of closing relief added by Corey Childress.

The Pirates out hit Bayside 6-2, but the scrappy Ads came within a close play of denting the FHS lead in the third inning when Fairhope second baseman Beacher Faust stabbed a line-drive rocket out of the sky hit by Bayside's Joe Stassen with runners in scoring position. The Admirals threatened to get on the board again with a runner at third

and one out. But FHS short-stop Hunter Ellenberg scooped, stepped and threw from second base to Brock Gilheart at first for an inning-ending double play.

"I thought our pitching was good and we played very good defense," said Fairhope coach Stu Fuller. "I know we're better than we showed swinging the bat, but just a little out of sync and it's opening day, but they have a great squad and we're lucky to get out of here with a win. We'll swing it better as the week goes on. Great job by Toby on

the mound and Corey coming in to finish."

Bayside coach Doug Leffard took responsibility for the lack of offense by his team but expects hitting and other components to get better with time.

"We didn't do a good job with two-strike hitting and that's

my fault," he said. "Something were definitely going to work on. But it's an honor for us to play in this Hank Aaron tournament and hopefully we'll try to play a little better tomorrow. (Defense) is something we try to pride ourselves on, but to look up on the board and see two errors and two runs. Any time you see an error by your team it usually cost you. But I'm proud of our guys. We just need to get better. Toby did a great job and Corey for them when he came in.

They're a good ball club and I hope we learn from our mistakes and get better for tomorrow."