LORAIN, Ohio — A four-run first inning and the relief pitching of Kyle Donawerth proved to be the winning combination for the Danville Dans on Saturday night.

Danville finished its most difficult road trip of the summer with a 5-3 win over the North Coast Knights.

With the win, the Dans finish the three-game road trip with a 2-1 record and they are now 14-14 on the season.

“We’ve had three difficult stretches in the first half and we just finished a nine game in eight-day portion of our schedule,’’ Danville manager Pete Paciorek said. “We’ve got 26 games left in the season, and we’re finally going to be at full strength on Monday. I think we are positioned to make a big run here in the second half.’’

Unlike the previous long stretches in the first half, this time Danville is entering an off day on a winning note. The Dans have won four of their last six.

Paciorek said a big reason for Saturday’s win was Donawerth, who had his third straight three-inning outing for the Dans.

“Kyle has really been a key member of our bullpen lately,’’ Paciorek said. “He is doing a better job of commanding the strike zone and that’s led to his stronger performances recently.’’

Danville’s defense helped get him out of a sixth-inning jam.

North Coast loaded the bases with one out on a Kyle Singer double and two walks. But the Knights’ Alex Sherrod hit into an inning-ending double play with Danville first baseman Jason Hamm getting the out at first and firing home to Nate Johnson to get Kevin Roundtree at the plate.

“That was a huge defensive play,’’ Paciorek said. “Hamm had a couple of errors in the game, but he came up big in that situation and we were able to maintain a one-run lead.’’

Johnson came up with another big play, according to Paciorek, in the eighth when he threw out pinch-runner Rob Moir trying to steal.

Offensively, Johnson also came up big for the Dans with two hits, a run scored and an RBI. Richie Goodenow had three hits while Austin Green and Cody Yount each finished with two.

Up next for the Dans is a game on Monday in Lisle against the DuPage Dragons. Danville’s next home game is Tuesday against the Quincy Gems. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m.

Legion Baseball

Jr. Speakers 14

Cincy Thunder 0

CINCINNATI — Michael Grant gave up only one hit on the mound and drove in two runs as the Junior Speakers beat the Cincinnati Thunder in three innings at the Cincinnati Storm Club Tournament.

Zack Thomas led Post 210 with three RBIs, Zane Dillon and Ross Stitt added two RBIs and Dennis Forrest and Cody Burton each had one.

The Junior Speakers were up 10-3 in the third inning against the host Storm Club but rain canceled the game. Post 210 will play the Cincinnati Rays today at 5 p.m.

The Post 210 senior team’s games in the tournament were rained out and will play in the third place game today at 1:30 p.m.