Normally when a team outhits its opponent it wins the game. However, when the same team commits eight errors, it becomes nearly impossible to be victorious.

This was the situation for Great Neck (Va.) in its opening contest of the Bronco Regional against Rockingham at Civitan Park Tuesday afternoon.

Great Neck recorded nine hits, while limiting Rockingham to five. But committed eight errors, including four in Rockingham’s four-run third inning to fall 10-3.

Ethan Baucom led the way for Rockingham by going 2-for-4 with a three-run home run, while Cody Leviner earned the victory by hurling a complete game and striking out six.

Rockingham, which defeated Mallard Creek 20-10 in the early morning hours Tuesday, took advantage of the Great Neck miscues to score seven unearned runs in the contest.

Rockingham trailed 2-1 in the bottom of the third when it took command of the contest aided by errors by reach of the three Great Neck outfielders. Leviner opened the frame by reaching first when Bryce Becker dropped his fly ball to left for an error. Baucom followed with a fly ball to right, which was misplayed by Derek Richardson for another error allowing Leviner to score and tie the game. Baucom moved up to third when Bodie Sheehan’s attempted pickoff sailed into center. After two strikeouts, Brandon Ingram drove home Baucom with a single to give Rockingham a 3-2 lead.

A wild pitch allowed Sheehan to take second and later stole third. Joe Butler and Joseph Griffith drew base on balls to load the bases with two outs. Once again, it appeared as if Great Neck was able to get out of the inning, but Andrew Altman dropped Cross Holfert’s fly ball for the fourth error of the inning, allowing Ingram and Butler to score to push Rockingham’s advantage to 5-2.

Once again poor Great Neck fielding opened the door for Rockingham to add to its lead in the fifth inning. John Taylor began the inning by reaching first safely after Lane Wildman was unable to cleanly field his ground ball. Taylor stole second and advanced to third when David Van Geluwe’s attempted pickoff went into center for Great Neck’s eighth error of the contest. After a strikeout, Butler dropped down a suicide squeeze bunt. Van Geluwe was unable to field the ball and throw the ball to get Taylor at the plate, allowing Butler to reach first. Butler advanced to second on a ground out and scored on Holfert’s double to extended Rockingham’s lead to 7-2.

Despite building a five-run lead, Rockingham only managed to register three hits against Great Neck, but drew six walks.

In the bottom of the sixth, Rockingham’s bats came to life to put the game out of reach sparked by Baucom’s home run. Evan Spears drew a walk to open the inning and moved to second on a wild pitch. Leviner followed with a single before Baucom’s home run over the center field fence to close out Rockingham’s scoring.

Great Neck scored two runs in the second but left the bases loaded and added a lone run in the seventh.

Holfert’s speed opened the contest’s scoring in the first inning. Holfert drew a leadoff walk and stole second. As Holfert was leading off second, Van Geluwe attempted to pickoff Holfert but his throw sailed into center for the Great Neck’s first error of the game. Van Geluwe’s error allowed Holfert to race all the way home for the first run of the game.

In the day’s first game, Pittsylvania County scored three times in the fifth inning and added two more in the sixth to rally for an 8-5 victory over Chesterfield County (Va.).

Ryan Tomlinson tossed a complete game and struck out six to earn the victory for Pittsylvania County. Tomlinson also went 3-for-3 with a three-run homer in the win. Rand Gibson and Zack Harris were both 2-for-4 with a run batted in.

Rockingham returns to action Thursday afternoon at 1 p.m. against Pittsylvania County in the winner’s bracket. The winner of that game will advance to the regional championship game. In today’s action, Chesterfield County will face Mallard Creek at 5 p.m. followed by Jamestown against Great Neck in loser’s bracket games.

n Contact sports editor Shawn Stinson at 997-3111, ext. 14; e-mail sstinson@yourdailyjournal.com