Just when you'd given up hope for Public League baseball . . .

  In a game that stood out in stark, wonderful contrast to recent Pub results such as 30-25 and 24-23, Roxborough High yesterday nipped visiting Jules Mastbaum Tech, 1-0.

  The teams committed no errors and the time of game was 1:42. It was the first 1-run Pub game since 2003 when Robert Lamberton High topped William Penn.

  Destry Kiker, a 5-11, 165-pound senior righthander, spun a two-hitter with three walks and eight strikeouts and became the winner with one out in the seventh inning as senior first baseman Johntae Grove flared an 0-2 pitch for a single to short rightfield.

  The hit scored Kyle Monaghan, who'd walked, stolen and advanced to third on Doug Sponsler's groundout.

  "That was exciting. A real nail-biter," Grove said. "As time went on, there was more pressure.

 was up against it. It was a little blooper, but I'll take it. "

  Kiker, usually the catcher, was making his second mound start of the season.

  "I just want to put the ball over and let them hit it," he said. "After that, what happens happens.

  "My approach is to not throw too hard in the beginning. It's safer that way. It keeps my arm from getting sore, and helps me keep my stamina. I still had it at the end. That was fun. A game that was actually well-played and competitive. "

  Mastbaum's Julio Escalante, a senior righty, allowed four hits and walked seven while striking out four.