The Ironton Fighting Tigers started as fast as a drag racer.

Wednesday, May 16, 2001

The Ironton Fighting Tigers started as fast as a drag racer. They came to a stop that made one think their brakes locked up.

After jumping out to a quick lead, Ironton was unable to keep its offense going in a 6-3 loss to the Minford Falcons Tuesday in the Division III district semifinals.

The Fighting Tigers got all their runs and hits in the first inning when it looked like they would make it their third rout in three tournament games.

"We had them on the ropes and let them get away," said Lewis. "We had the momentum and then we relaxed. They got the lead and we could never get ourselves back in the game mentally."

With one out in the bottom of the first, Josh Harmon doubled and went to third when Chad Parker singled. Both runners scored when Greg Mountain slammed a triple into the alley in right-center. Matt White capped the rally with a double.

But Minford pitcher Jason Greene settled down and did not allow a base hit the rest of the way. He struck out 11 and walked just one.

"Give Greene credit. He settled down and pitched a heck of a ball game," said Lewis. "Chad pitched well for us. He had one bad inning like Greene, they just got more runs in their inning than we did in ours."

Justin Greene walked to start the Minford rally in the fourth inning.

Ryan Oliver’s fly ball fell for a base hit but Parker got the next batter to fly out. Chad Lore singled to score Justin Greene and then Eric Green dropped in a bunt single just fair along the third base line to load the bases.

Ben Tuttle’s bad hop single drove in two runs, Jason Greene singled in another run, and Gabe Havens got an RBI single to end the uprising.

The Falcons added an insurance run in the sixth with two outs when Jason Greene and Havens had back-to-back doubles.

Jason Greene was 3-for-3, Havens 3-for-4 with two RBI, and Tuttle 2-for-4 to lead a 12-hit attack.

The Fighting Tigers finish the season 13-10.

The game was originally scheduled to be played at the University of Rio Grande. Heavy rains Monday night and Tuesday morning forced the game to be postponed.

But Minford coach Tim Martin as the tournament director and district board president to move the game and suggested Ironton’s field.

Minford 000 501 0 – 6 12 0

Ironton 300 000 0 – 3 4 1

Jason Green and Andy Malone. Chad Parker and Matt White. W-Green (11-K, 1-W, 4-ER). L-Parker (4-K, 2-W, 6-ER). WP-Greene 3. 2B-Minford: Jason Green, Gave Havens; Ironton: Jason Harmon, Matt White. 3B-Ironton: Greg Mountain. LOB-Minford 7, Ironton 2. DP-Ironton (6th). Hitting-MInford: Ben Tuttle 2-4 (2 RBI), Jason Greene 3-3 (RBI), Gabe Havens 3-4 (2 RBI), Ryan Oliver 1-3, Matt Coriell 1-4, Chad Lore 1-3 (RBI), Eric Green 1-3; Ironton: Josh Harmon 1-2, Chad Parker 1-3, Greg Mountain 1-3 (2 RBI), Matt White 1-3 (RBI).