BATH — 8U Chocowinity Indians stud Chaise Smith ran for four touchdowns — including three in the second half — to roll over the Bath Pirates, 28-14. The third-week effort aligns with what has been a stellar start to the season for Smith and the Indians.

The Pirates received the opening kickoff Saturday morning in Bath, but promptly turned it over on the second play from scrimmage. Chocowinity ran one play and drew a pair of penalties before Smith struck first with a 25-yard dash into the end zone.

Not to be outdone, running back Chase Marshal helped the Pirates quickly respond. He broke a tackle to take off for a 19-yard gain along the left side, and drew a personal foul in the process. Rushes by Marshal and Hewitt Chase, combined with another penalty against Chocowinity, positioned Bath at the 1-yard line. Marshal punched in the touchdown to knot the game at six apiece with 5:17 left in the second quarter.

The Indians fumbled away the ensuing kickoff to give the Pirates a chance to take the lead heading into halftime. Josh Green invaded the Bath backfield to stymie Bath’s last-minute efforts, keeping the game tied going into the break.

The Indians received the kickoff to start the second half and wasted no time reclaiming the lead. They continued to draw some penalties before Smith took off for a 50-yard touchdown on the second play of the half.

The Pirates fumbled away their opportunity to draw even — literally — when they put the ball on the ground on the first play of their ensuing drive. Chocowinity took over at midfield and Smith promptly ripped off a touchdown run from midfield. Zacchaeus Lovick got the two-point conversion to push his team’s lead to 20-6 with 2:16 left in the third quarter.

The Pirates were down, but not out. Marshal kicked off the drive with a 6-yard run. Chase quickly capped it off when the Pirates faked left and handed off to Chase on the right, who took off for a 34-yard score. Marshal earned Bath two to pull within six, 20-14, with 6:19 to play.

The Indians started off backed up to their own 25-yard line, but that was no problem for Smith. He made three runs of 23, 13 and 41 yards to quickly find the end zone.

Smith’s fourth score, and the two-point conversion that followed, pushed Chocowinity’s lead to 28-14 with just 2:15 left to play.