PORTSMOUTH — the Ironton Fighting Tigers pointed out that “hit” is a four-letter word,
And there was no quit in the Fighting Tigers on Monday as Ironton held off the Portsmouth Trojans 12-9 in an Ohio Valley Conference game.
Ironton had a big lead early before Portsmouth rallied to go ahead, but the Fighting Tigers rallied to take the lead and held on to hand the Trojans their first league loss.
“It was good to see our guys battle the entire game. We got some big hits from our seniors, too. We finally got some timely hitting,” said Ironton coach Travis Wylie.
Ironton (4-4, 1-2) wasted little time getting its offense going by taking a 6-0 lead in the top of the first inning.
Ian Ginger, Braydon Baker and Jon Wylie all walked to start the game. Brady Moatz then cracked a double to score 2 runs. Chaydan Kerns followed with a long single to drive in 2 more runs.
Connor Kleinman was safe on an error and Tanner Kleinman singled to score Kerns. The Kleinmen brothers moved up on stolen bases and Connor scored on a passed ball.
Portsmouth (5-3, 3-1) scored 2 in the bottom of the inning on a single by Jacob Roth, walks to J.T. Williams and Trevin Brooks, a wild pitch and a passed ball.
The Trojans cut the deficit to 6-4 in the second inning when Preston Krebs reached on an error, Nathaniel Berry singled, Malachi Loper walked and Jacob Roth had a 2-run single.
Portsmouth took a 7-6 lead in the bottom of the fourth.
Loper was safe on an error, Jacob Roth beat out an infield hit and Williams had an RBI single. Zach Roth singled to score a run and Jacob Roth scored on a wild pitch.
Ironton tied the game in the fifth when Tanner Kleinman walked, moved up on a passed ball, took third on a ground out and scored on a wild pitch.
The Fighting Tigers took the lead for good with a run in the sixth.
Baker singled, Kerns walked and Connor Kleinman and Tanner Kleinman both singled for a run.
Ironton scored 4 runs in the seventh for what proved to be the decisive margin.
With one out, Tommy Sheridan singled, Baker reached on a 2-out error and Jon Wylie singled home Sheridan. Baker came home to score on the return throw to the infield. Moatz and Kerns then followed with RBI singles.
“We’ve got to get more consistent on defense, but our seniors stepped it up at the plate tonight. Moatz stayed focused and extended our lead at the end,” said coach Wylie.
Portsmouth got 2 runs in the bottom of the inning with 2 outs on a hit by Nathaniel Barry, a walk to Loper and 2 Ironton errors.
Ironton finished with 11 hits as Moatz went 2-4 with a double and 2 RBI, Kerns 2-4 with 3 RBI, Connor Kleinman 2-5, Tanner Kleinman 2-3 with 2 RBI, Sheridan 1-1, Wylie 1-3 with 2 RBI and Baker 1-4.
Sheridan got the win in relief as he worked the final 3 innings giving up 3 hits, no earned runs with 3 strikeouts and 2 walks.
Jacob Roth was 4-5 with 2 RBI and Nathaniel Berry 2-4 to pace Portsmouth.
Ironton plays Chesapeake on Wednesday and Wheelersburg on Thursday.
Ironton 600 011 4 = 12 11 5
Portsmouth 220 300 2 = 9 10 3
Ian Ginger, Tanner Kleinman (4), Tommy Sheridan (5) and Brady Moatz, Nate Sloan (7). Deandre Berry, Jacob Roth (6), J.T. Williams (7) and Trevin Brooks, Landon Malone (7). W-Sheridan (IP-3.0, H-3, R-2, ER-0, K-3, BB-2). Ginger (IP-3.0, H-3, R-4, ER-3, K-5, BB-5). Kleinman (IP-1.0, H-4, R-3, ER-2, K-0, BB-0). L-J Roth (IP-1.2, H-6, R-5, ER-1, K-2, BB-1). D. Berry (IP-5.0, H-4, R-7, ER-4, K-5, BB-8). Williams (IP-0.1, H-1, R-0, K-1,BB-0). Hitting-Ironton: Braydon Baker 1-4, Jon Wylie 1-3 2-RBI, Brady Moatz 2-4 2B 2-RBI, Chaydan Kerns 2-4 3-RBI, Connor Kleinman 2-5, Tanner Kleinman 2-3 2-RBI, Tommy Sheridan 1-1; Portsmouth: Jacob Roth 4-5 2-RBI, J.T. Williams 1-4 RBI, Zach Roth 1-3 RBI, Trevin Brooks 1-3, Colin Perry 1-4, Nathaniel Berry 2-4.
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