BY JOE HOLTZAPFEL
I thought I would put off writing the material of things past to report on the state bound 11-year old All-Stars.
Last year these young people went to Hamilton to participate in the State Tournament as 10 year olds. In previous years our all-star teams have had a tough time competing with teams from larger towns. Not just Ironton but all leagues in District 11. Last year proved to be somewhat different. Ironton took on the home team Hamilton and beat them in Hamilton. I think this is when this team saw that they could compete with the big boys.
That team of 10's are now 11 and on their way to Bellevue to compete again in the State Tournament. As of now, the team they will face first is none other than Hamilton.
Here is a recap of the District Tournament that was held at Wheelersburg.
The main reason Ironton won the District was thanks to the excellent showing of the pitching staff. Another reason was the defense that backed those pitchers.
Things started off with a game against Rock Hill. This game was a typical Rock Hill versus Ironton game. Rock Hill had just defeated Ironton 6-4 in a tournament that was held at Ironton prior to the District Tournament. T.A. Sands went to the mound and along with some small ball play by Ironton and some excellent defense, defeated Rock Hill 3-2 to advance to the finals of the winners bracket against Wheelersburg. Sands struck out 8 gave up 3 hits, 0 walks and 2 runs in the win.
The winners' bracket game saw Kayson Phillips go perfect through 6 innings. But Ironton couldn't score against a very good Wheelersburg pitcher and the game remained scoreless after 6 innings. Phillips had only thrown 60 pitches — well below the maximum 85 pitch count allowed in Little League — and was able to throw in the 7th inning.
Ironton got the scoring started when Derick Moore beat out a bunt to get the rally started. Austin Ferrall followed suit with a bunt that moved Moore to second. Jacob Mains then laid down a bunt that was thrown away at first. Moore and Mains ended up at second and third with two outs. This got Ironton back to the top of the batting order and brought Mason Holtzapfel up to bat. Mason drilled a line drive single to left center that scored Derek Moore. A ground out ended the inning, Ironton held a 1-0 lead.
Wheelersburg came to bat in the bottom of the 7th and their first batter got on via an error. Phillips the struck out the next man. The next batter sacrificed the runner to second base. But Phillips then struck out the final batter to win the game for Ironton 1-0.
Phillips only used 82 pitches through 7 innings. One of the best pitched games I have ever witnessed in my 52 years at Little League. Phillips finished with 12 strikeouts, 0 hits, 0 walks and 0 runs.
The Championship game again saw Ironton against Wheelersburg, who fought their way out of the losers bracket to get to the championship game. The Ironton pitcher in this game was Griffin Rowe. Ironton started the scoring early as Mason Holtzapfel beat out a ground ball to the second baseman. He then through a series of plays scored the first run to start a 4 run scoring streak. The score stayed at 4-0 in favor of Ironton entering the 5th inning. In the bottom of the 5th, Wheelersburg loaded the base with no outs. The duo of Holtzapfel and Phillips then turned in a game-changing double play. Even though Wheelersbug scored 2 runs the inning,Ironton held on for a 4-2 win and the District Championship. Rowe ended with 3 strikeouts, 4 hits, 0 walks and 2 runs.
All three Ironton pitchers didn't give up a walk. Something that is unheard of in Little League baseball. The pitching along with excellent defense was the whole story of this tournament.
Now its on to Bellevue, Ohio and the State Tournament. As of now we start play against Hamilton. I will try and report back with the stats of the State games.
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