Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

PROCTORVILLE — This was a definition of the game of baseball.

In a game that went down to the final at-bat, the Fairland Dragons edged the Ironton Fighting Tigers 5-4 on Wednesday in an Ohio Valley Conference game.

“It was a good high school game. It is fun to be playing a good game of baseball like that,” said Fairland coach Bryan Ward. “We just made one more play than they did. Both teams played well.”

Hayden James got the win for the Dragons as he gave up nine hits, struck out two and walked one.

Dane Wilson tossed a seven-hitter in taking the loss. He fanned five and walked five, one intentionally.

“Dane Wilson pitched a good game today. We hit the ball much better and we improved in some areas that we have emphasized,” said Ironton coach Larry Goodwin.

“It was a well-played high school baseball game on both sides.”

Ironton took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning when Wilson singled, stole second and scored on a hit by Luke Kelley.

Fairland (5-6, 3-1) answered with two runs in the bottom of the inning.

Tyler George singled and Collin Damron had an RBI double. Dylan Murphy to put runners on the corners and Derek Curry had an RBI single.

Ironton tied the game in the fourth when Kelley doubled and Hunter Klaiber reached on an error.

The Fighting Tigers (6-6, 1-4) took the lead with a run in the fifth.

Tanner Price walked, stole second and raced home on a hit by Luke Diamond.

The Dragons tied the game in the sixth when Murphy walked, stole second and Curry had a run-scoring single.

Ironton took the lead in the top of the seventh when Diamond singled, went to second on a passed ball and scored on a hit by Garrett Carrico.

Trace Adkins walked, stole second and George sacrifice him to third and reached on a throwing error that allowed Adkins to score.

Damron grounded out as George went to third. Murphy was walked intentionally to set up a force play but Curry hit a sacrifice fly to score the winning run.

Kelley was 2-4 with a double and Wilson and Diamond both went 2-4 for Ironton.

Curry was 2-3 with a double and three runs batted in while Murphy was 2-3 to pace Fairland.

On Thursday, Ironton visits Rock Hill and Fairland hosts Chesapeake in league games.

Ironton 100 110 1 = 4 9 1

Fairland 200 001 2 = 5 7 1

Dane Wilson and Hunter Weber. Hayden James and Garrett Scheibelhood. W-James (K-2, BB-1, ER-3). L-Wilson (K-5, BB-5, ER-4). Hitting—Ironton: Dane Wilson 2-4, Luke Diamond 2-4 rbi, Garrett Carrico 1-4 rbi, Hunter Klaiber 1-2 2B, Luke Kelley 2-4 2B, Andy Bruce 1-3; FHS: Tyler George 1-2, Collin Damron 1-3 2B rbi, Dylan Murphy 2-3, Brett Curry 2-3 2B rbi-3, Seth Clay 1-3.