IRONTON — You should have seen the one that got away but then came back.
Dragons were the victim of an act of nature that helped the Fighting Tigers rally for a 7-6 win on Monday.
“It was one of those games that wasn’t pretty but we somehow managed to win,” said Ironton coach Travis Wylie.
“Chaydan pitched pretty well and did a good job at the plate. He stayed composed and had a big hit and we have some young guys stepping up at the plate.”
Fairland (5-10, 5-2) took a 2-0 lead in the top of the second.
Ethan Wall singled, Ben Southard reached on a 2-out error and Carson Sansom doubled them home.
Ironton got a run back in the bottom of the inning as Kerns singled and came around to score on an error.
The Dragons made it 3-1 in the fifth when Southard reached on an error, Sansom sacrificed him to second and Keegan Smith was safe on an error as the run scored.
Fairland scored a run in the sixth on a one-out double by Wall, a single by Garrett Cornwell and Luke Brown’s fly ball was dropped.
“Our defense was bad at times. We need to make those plays. Some of those were just routine plays,” said Wylie.
Ironton (10-5, 7-3) rallied to take the lead with 4 runs in the bottom of the inning.
With one out, Connor Kleinman was safe on a 2-base error. Kleinman went to third on a passed ball and scored when Jon Wylie reached on an error. Brady Moatz walked and Kerns spanked a 2-run double.
Kerns went to third on the throw home and scored when Braydon Baker grounded out.
Fairland regained the lead with 2 unearned runs in the top of the seventh.
Smith was safe on an error, Brycen Hunt was safe on a force out, Blaze Perry walked and Hunt stole third and scored on a throwing error.
Alex Morgan singled to drive home Perry with the go-ahead run.
That set the stage for Ironton’s winning rally in the bottom of the inning.
Dawson Philyaw doubled to lead off the bottom of the seventh. Bryson Kerns came on to pinch-run and Tyler Roach got an infield singled to put runners on the corners.
Roach stole second and Ian Ginger hit a ground ball to third base.
Kerns headed home and scored the tying run, but the first baseman couldn’t catch the throw because the sun momentarily blinded him from seeing the ball which allowed Roach to score the winning run.
Kerns pitched well for 6.1 innings before being relieved by Tommy Sheridan. Kerns gave up only 5 hits, 6 runs but only one earned with 6 strikeouts and one walk.
Sheridan got the win as he worked two-thirds of an inning allowing one hit.
Kerns was 2-3 with a double and 2 RBI as Ironton got 6 hits. Philyaw was 1-2 with a double while Roach and Tanner Kleinmen were 1-3.
Wall pitched 6 solid innings for Fairland as he gave up only 3 hits, 5 runs with only one earned and he struck out 7 with 2 walks.
Blaze Perry took the loss as he gave up 2 unearned runs and 2 hits.
Wall went 3-4 with a double for the Dragons’ offense. Sansom was 1-2 with a double and 2 RBI, Morgan 1-4 with an RBI and Cornwell 1-4.
The game was Ironton’s first at home since March due to the damage by the tornado to the baseball and softball fields.
The teams will meet again at Fairland on Thursday.
Fairland 020 011 2 = 6 7 4
Ironton 010 004 2 = 7 6 6
Ethan Wall, Blaze Perry (7) and Cyrus Cummings. Chaydan Kerns, Tommy Sheridan (7) and Brady Moatz. W-Sheridan (IP-0.2, H-1, R-0, K-0, BB-0). Kerns (IP-6.1, H-5, R-6, ER-1, K-6, BB-1, WP-1). L-Perry (IP-0.0, H-2, R-2, ER-0, K-0, BB-0). Hitting-Fairland: Alex Morgan 1-4 RBI, Ethan Wall 3-4 2B, Garrett Cornwell 1-4, Carson Sansom 1-2 2B 2-RBI; Ironton: Chaydan Kerns 2-3 2B 2-RBI, Tanner Kleinman 1-3 2B, Dawson Philyaw 1-2 2B, Tyler Roach 1-3, Jon Wylie RBI.
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