PEDRO – The weather was cold, so Josh Harmon turned up the heat.

Tuesday, March 27, 2001

PEDRO – The weather was cold, so Josh Harmon turned up the heat.

With temperatures hitting as low as 30 degrees, Harmon stuck strictly with his fastball as he pitched a one-hitter to lead the Ironton Fighting Tigers to an 18-1 win over the Rock Hill Redmen Wednesday.

"I didn’t throw a curveball. It was too cold. I just stayed with my fastball and it was doing the job," said Harmon who struck out seven, walked three, and gave up only a fifth inning infield single.

"I had a little trouble the first inning trying to get loose, but once I got going I was okay. I felt pretty good. I felt better than I did the other days when I threw only two innings (in a scrimmage)."

The Fighting Tigers had an 11-hit attack to back Harmon’s pitching including Matt White who went 3-for-5 with seven runs batted in. Greg Mountain was 2-for-3 with a pair of RBIs and Mark Mains also went 2-for-3. Harmon was 1-for-4 with two RBIs.

"Harmon gave a heck of an effort for the first game and considering how cold it was," Ironton coach Mark Lewis said. "He was around the plate most of the game. I hadn’t planned to go that long with him, but he had a no-hitter going and he hadn’t thrown very many pitches."

Harmon gave up a scratch single just behind second base to Derek Malone leading off the bottom of the fifth inning. He later walked Dave Malone and Sam Lewis and a ground ball by Matt Coffee scored the only Rock Hill run.

After a scoreless first, Ironton began the onslaught with six runs in the second.

Chad Parker and Mark Mains walked and Mountain had a run-scoring double. Matt Johnson’s check-swing ground ball was misplayed by the Redmen allowing a run to score and left runners on the corners.

Drew Mains was hit by a pitch and Harmon was safe on an error as a run scored. White then unloaded a three-run double to cap the uprising.

Six more runs scored in the third to make it 12-0.

Tyler Whaley reached on an error and Mark Mains and Mountain singled to load the bases. Johnson walked to force in a run and Josh Sands was safe on an error as Mains scored. Harmon walked to load the bases and White singled in two more.

Parker walked to reload the bases and Whaley had a two-run single.

A run scored in the fourth when Johnson walked, stole second, and scored following hits by Drew Mains and Sands.

Ironton got five more runs in the fifth to cap its scoring.

With one out, Mark Mains doubled, Chuck Murnahan reached on an error, Johnson drew his third walk, and Drew Mains was hit by a pitch to force in a run.

Harmon’s two-run single scored Murnahan and Johnson and White’s base hit sent home the final two runs.

Ironton 066 15 – 18 11 1

Rock Hill 000 01 – 1 1 6

Josh Harmon and Greg Mountain. Jeff Crabtree, Matt Barnard (3) and David Martin. W-Harmon (7-K, 3-W). L-Crabtree (4-k, 5-W). 2B -Ironton: Greg Mountain, Matt White, Mark Mains. SB – Ironton: Josh Harmon, Josh Sands, Matt Johnson; Rock Hill: Sam Lewis. HBP – by Crabtree (Drew Mains), by Barnard (Drew Mains), by Harmon (Nathan Litteral). WP – Harmon. PB – Mountain. DP – Rock Hill (3rd). LOB – Ironton 8, Rock Hill 4.