Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

The Ironton Lady Fighting Tigers are starting to hit and that means they are getting into the swing of things.
Ironton had 11 hits to back the pitching of Mary Beth Burton as they beat the Chesapeake Lady Panthers in five innings on Monday in an Ohio Valley Conference game.
Ironton was led by Kenzie Cremeens who was 2-2 with a double and two RBI, Peighton Rowe 2-3 with a double and an RBI and Ruth Paholsky 2-3 and two RBI.
“(Brooke) Webb is a really good pitcher who throws hard. My girls are hitting the ball well and we were able to connect for some hits tonight,” said Ironton coach Missy Fields.
“Paholsky, Cremeens and Rowe were patient at the plate and produced for us.”
Mary Beth Burton went five innings for the win. She allowed just three hits, struck out four and walked one.
“Burton gets better in the circle each game. She hit her spots well tonight,” said Fields.
Chesapeake took a 2-0 lead in the first when Katy Spears walked and Webb smacked a two-run homer.
Ironton (9-3) began its offensive barrage with eight runs in the second.
Paholsky singled and Taiya Hamlet doubled her home.
Burton doubled for a run, Rowe singled and an error scored a run.  Demi Sands walked, Haylee Stevens reached on an error, Cremeens doubled in two runs, Aley Carmon was safe on an error and Paholsky singled.
Ironton came right back with five runs in the third to lead 13-2.
Burton was safe on an error, stole second and Rowe doubled her home. Sands had an RBI single, Riley Schreck singled for a run, Cremeens walked and Carmon singled.
On Wednesday, Ironton visits South Point and Chesapeake hosts Gallipolis.
Chesapeake       200    00    =    2    3    5
Ironton       085    0x    =    13    11    0
Brooke Webb and Katy Spears. Mary Beth Burton and Kenzie Cremeens. W-Burton (K-4, BB-1, ER-2). L-Webb (K-3, BB-2, ER-6). Hitting-Chesy: Ryleigh Swann 1-3 2B, Brooke Webb 2-2 HR 2-RBI; Ironton: Haylee Stevens RBI, Riley Schreck 1-3, Kenzie Cremeens 2-2 2B 2-RBI, Aley Carmon 1-3 2-RBI, Ruth Paholsky 2-3 2-RBI, Taiya Hamlet 1-3 2B, Mary Beth Burton 1-3 2B 2-RBI, Peighton Rowe 2-3 2B RBI, Demi Sands 1-2 RBI.