The opening game in the first Region 5-5A 3-game series for defending champion River Bluff was a losing one Monday in The Swamp.
Visiting Dutch Fork posted a 7-0 victory over the Gators. Doug Webb struck out 10 and allowed just 3 hits in 6 scoreless innings for the victory. 
He and Noah Jackson also combined for 3 RBI for the Silver Foxes. 
The game was scoreless until the Top 4th. Jackson sent River Bluff starter Ricky Williams' pitch over the leftfield wall. 
An RBI single by Crosby Jones extended the Silver Foxes' lead to 2-0 in the 5th. They broke the game open off relievers Brayden Fowler and Jack Bennedict with 5 runs in the 7th.
Dutch Fork loaded the bases and Jackson started the rally with an RBI walk. The bases were still filled with Silver Foxes when Lance Fuhr drove in the games' 4th run when he was hit by Fowler.
Bennedict entered the game and he gave up an RBI single to Webb. On the play, a throwing error from the outfield enabled the 6th run of the game to reach home. 
Another error, this time in the infield on a groundball hit by Jay Metts, brought across the final run of the game. 
Clemson commit Ty Olenchuk relieved Webb. After striking out the first 3 batters faced (the leadoff hitter reached on a wild pitch), Olenchuk gave up 2 straight singles to load the bases.
He promptly ended the game with a strikeout on 3 straight pitches. 
Game 2 of the series is set for 6:30 p.m. Wednesday in Irmo.

SOFTBALL
White Knoll 4, Lugoff-Elgin 1
Andrew Lyon struck out 8  and Hannah Goodwin scored 2 runs for the defending Class 5A champions on Monday.
Both Lexi Winters and Ashlee Burkett had 2 hits and Burkett, Lyon and Mackenzie McElroy all had an RBI.
The Lady Timberwolves play host to River Bluff Friday.

GIRLS SOCCER

Aiken 4, Gilbert 3

Kyleigh Foley, Kiersten Price and Kaylee Barnes all scored in the non-region loss for the Lady Indians.