WHEELERSBURG — Errors have plagued the Ironton Fighting Tigers all season.
They were doing more damage again on Thursday.
Ironton was guilty of 6 errors that led to 4 unearned runs as the Fighting Tigers lost 4-3 to the Wheelersburg Pirates.
Ironton’s Chaydan Kerns threw a strong complete game but was the tough-luck loser as he gave up just 5 hits, struck out 5 and walked 2.
Wheelersburg pitchers Cooper Heinbach and Zack Picklesheimer combined on a 5-hitter. Heinbach went 3.1 innings for the win. He gave up 4 hits, 2 runs with one earned, struck out one and walked one. Picklesheimer worked 3.2 innings giving up a hit, an earned run with 3 strikeouts and one walk.
After a scoreless first inning, Ironton was guilty of 3 errors in the second inning as the Pirates took a 2-0 lead.
Kolton Salyers led off with a double, Isaac Bockway was safe on an error as Salyers remained at second, and both runners moved up on a sacrifice bunt by Caden Conn.
Creed Warren was safe on an error as Salyers scored. Rocky Watkins was safe on a dropped fly ball scoring Bockway.
Ironton (13-9) tied the game in the top of the fourth quarter.
Jon Wylie was safe on an error, Brady Moatz beat out an infield hit, Kerns walked to load the bases and Connor Kleinman singled to center field to score Wylie and Moatz.
The Pirates (20-2) came back with 2 runs in the bottom of the inning to take the lead for good at 4-2.
With 2 outs, Warren singled and then Watkins was safe on an error. Conn walked to load the bases and Landon Hutchinson had a 2-run single.
The Fighting Tigers mounted a rally in the top of the fifth inning only to fall short.
With one out, Ian Ginger drew a walk. An out later, Wylie spanked a double to left field driving home Ginger.
Ironton’s final 7 batters over 2.1 innings were retired in order.
Kleinman was 1-3 with 2 RBI, Wylie 1-3 with a double and RBI, with Ginger, Roach and Moatz all went 1-3.
Hutchinson was 1-4 with 2 RBI, Warren 1-3 with an RBI, Salyers 1-3 with a double and Darling and Watkins both 1-3.
Ironton plays at Ashland, Ky., on Saturday at 4 p.m.
Ironton 000 210 0 = 3 5 6
Wheelersburg 020 200 x = 4 5 2
Chaydan Kerns and Brady Moatz. Cooper Heinbach, Zack Picklesheimer (4) and J Darling. W-Heinbach (IP-3,1, H-4, R-2, ER-1, K-1, BB-1). Save–Picklelsheimer (IP-3.2, H-1, R-1, ER-1, K-3, BB-1). L-Kerns (IP-6.0, H-5, R-4, ER-0, K-5, BB-2). Hitting-Ironton: Ian Ginger 1-3, Tyler Roach 1-3, Jon Wylie 1-3 2B RBI, Brady Moatz 1-3, Connor Kleinman 1-3 2-RBI; Wheelersburg: Landon Hutchinson 1-4 2-RBI, Jake Darling 1-3, Kolton Salyers 1-3 2B, Creed Warren 1-3 RBI, Rowdy Watkins 1-3.
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