Portsmouth jumped out to an early lead against Wheelersburg, but the Pirates battled back to tie the game at 3-3 after two and a half innings.

Pirate pitcher Jordan Russell opened the game with three straight walks and Matt Harcha singled to score John Harcha. Brian Estep reached on an error to score T.J. Arrowood for the Trojans' second run and Shane Porter walked to force run No. 3.

Russell got out of the inning by forcing Portsmouth's Josh Scott to fly out to right and by striking out Aaron Lacy.

The Pirates struck back in the top of the second after Russell helped himself with a double, reached third on a Dustin Cook ground out and scored when Zach Brown reached on an error.

Russell settled in during the bottom of the second, facing only three batters thanks to a double play from shortstop Adam Wamsley to first baseman Bryan White.

The tying runs came in the top of the third. Wamsley bunted to reach first, stole second base, then third and scored on a single by White.

White then stole second and scored on a single by Justin Hill.

Because of an early deadline, the full game story will run in Saturday's edition.