Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

In the words of Keith Jackson, “Whoooaaa Nellie!”

It was a game worthy of Jackson’s catch phrase as the Rock Hill Redwomen rallied to beat the upset-minded Ironton Lady Fighting Tigers 9-7 on Wednesday in an Ohio Valley Conference game.

Ironton took a 7-3 lead before Rock Hill got five runs in the fourth inning to remain unbeaten.

“We knew coming into this game we were going to be in for a battle. Ironton can knock the ball around, so give them credit,” said Rock Hill coach Sam Gue.

“I’m really proud of our kids and the resiliency they showed tonight. Everyone stepped up and contributed. So many girls stepped up in big spots and delivered.”

Kaci Russell led off the game with a home run and Jill Hairston doubled and Riann Keating singled as Rock Hill took a 2-0 lead.

“Kaci got us going early with the leadoff home run, but it was nice to see such a team effort with this one,” said Gue.

Ironton came back to get three runs in the bottom of the inning when Aley Carmon hit a home run following singles by Kenzie Cremeens and Kylie Barcus.

Madison Harper and Russell doubled to tie the game in the second, but Ironton scored four in the third.

Barcus, Carmon and Ruth Paholsky all singled for a run. Haliegh Rowe, Katie Burcham and Shay Cox all followed with RBI singles.

Rock Hill answered with five unearned runs in the fourth.

With two outs, Taylor Hall and Russell reached on errors. Jenna Lane and Hairston followed with singles, Makenzi Harrah doubled and Keating singled.

“We simply didn’t finish the fourth inning. We get two outs and then the floodgates opened. We were playing good ball and just gave it to them and you can’t do that with a good team like Rock Hill,” said Ironton coach Missy Fields.

The Redwomen added an insurance run in the seventh. Lily McGinnis singled, Anna Darby put down a sacrifice bunt and McGinnis scored on an error.

Russell was 2-4 with two RBIs, Hairston 2-4 and Keating 2- with three RBIs.

Carmon was 2-3 with three RBIs, Cox 2-3 with a double and two RBIs and Paholsky also 2-3 with an RBI.

“Aley pitched her heart out. She continues to be a force at the plate for us,” said Fields.

Ironton visits Portsmouth on Friday.

Rock Hill 210 500 1 = 9 11 0

Ironton 304 000 0 = 7 11 5

Jill Hairston and Riann Keating. Aley Carmon and Kenzie Cremeens. W-Hairston (K-6, BB-1, ER-7). L-Carmon (K-3, BB-0, ER-3). Hitting-RH: Kaci Russell 2-4 rbi-2 HR 2B, Jenna Lane 1-3 rbi-2, Jill Hairston 2-4 2B, Makenzi Harrah 1-4 rbi 2B, Riann Keating 2-4 rbi-3, Lily McGinnis 1-4, Madison Harper 1-4 rbi 2B; Ironton: Kenzie Cremeens 1-4, Kylie Barcus 2-4, Aley Carmon 2-3 rbi-3 HR, Ruthie Paholsky 2-3 rbi, Haleigh Rowe 1-3, Katie Burcham 1-3 rbi, Shay Cox 2-3 rbi-2 2B.