Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

PROCTORVILLE — A big inning meant a big win.

The Fairland Dragons used a four-run fifth inning to rally past the Ironton Fighting Tigers 5-2 on Wednesday in an Ohio Valley Conference game.

“That was a big win for us. That sets up a big game (Thursday),” said Fairland coach Alex Beelen.

Fairland is 8-5 and 5-2 in the conference. The Dragons visit Gallipolis on Thursday and the Blue Devils are 7-2 in the league.

Ironton fell to 9-6 and 5-4 in the OVC.

Collin Damron pitched a six-hitter for the win. He struck out six and walked four.

Larry Morris allowed just four hits and took the loss. He struck out eight and walked two but hit four batters.

Fairland got a run in the first inning when Trace Adkins walked, stole second and Damron doubled.

Ironton tied the game in the second on a double by Hunter Klaiber, a wild pitch and Kyle Kleinman’s RBI ground out.

Ironton went up 2-1 in the top of the fifth.

Cody Rawlins walked, Bryce Thomas had a sacrifice bunt, a wild pitch put the runner at third base and Dane Wilson had an RBI single.

But the Dragons came back with four runs in the bottom of the inning.

Eli Bowen singled, Evan Burcham walked and Austin Christian beat out a bunt to load the bases. Hayden James hit into a force play as a run scored and then stole second. Adkins had a two-run single to snap the tie and make it 4-2.

After two batters were hit by pitches, Seth Clay hit into a fielder’s choice as the final run scored.

Ironton hosts Coal Grove on Friday.

Ironton 010 010 0 = 2 6 0

Fairland 100 040 x = 5 4 2

Larry Morris and Bryce Thomas. Collin Damron and Eli Bowen. W-Damron (K-6, BB-4, ER-1). L-Morris (K-8, BB-2, ER-5, HBP-4). Hitting-Ironton: Dane Wilson 1-4 rbi, Jake Isaac 1-3, Hunter Klaiber 1-3 2B, Kyle Kleinman 1-2 rbi, Ethan Duncan 1-3; FHS: Trace Adkins 1-3 rbi-2, Collin Damron 1-2 2B rbi, Seth Clay rbi, Eli Bowen 1-3, Austin Christian 1-2.