Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

PROCTOVILLE — It wasn’t a Stephen King script, but it was riveting.

In a nip-and-tuck battle, the Fairland Dragons bat the South Point Pointers 3-1 in an Ohio Valley Conference game on Monday in the season opener for both teams.

“It was the type of game that kept you focused. There was no chance to relax,” said Fairland coach Bryan Ward.

Kyle Raines tossed a four-hitter for the win. He struck out 10 and walked five.

Josh Browning gave up seven hits, struck out six and walked only two in taking the loss.

“Raines threw pretty and Browning threw really well, too. I thought (Kyle) Sowards hit the ball hard. He had a quality at-bat every time up,” said Ward.

The game was scoreless until Sowards led off the third inning with a double, stole third base and scored on a hit by Dylan Murphy.

Luke Phillips put down a sacrifice, Josh Ross got an infield hit and Matt Aliff singled to load the bases. Alex Thompson walked to force in a run and Raines hit a sacrifice fly.

The Pointers got their run in the sixth. Brandon Boggs reached on an error and pinch-runner Jesse Lien scored on a hit by Browning.

Browning stole second and Trey Kerns singled, but Ross made a perfect throw to cut down the runner at the plate.

South Point 000 001 0 = 1 4 0

Fairland 000 030 x = 3 7 2

Josh Browning and Woodard. Kyle Raines and Garrett Schivelhood. W-Raines (K-10, BB-5). L-Browning (K-6,BB-2). 2B-SP: Brandon Boggs; Fairland: Kyle Sowards. Hitting-SP: Brandon Boggs 1-3, Austin Majher 1-3, Josh Browning 1-3, Trey Kerns 1-3; Fairland: Josh Ross 2-3 rbi, Matt Aliff 2-3, Kyle Sowards 2-3, Dylan Murphy 1-3, Alex Thompson rbi, Kyle Raines rbi.