Josh Sands started cold, but once he was up and running, he put it on cruise control.

After struggling with the first three batters of the game, Sands put his game in gear as he pitched the Ironton Fighting Tigers to an 11-1 win over the Gallipolis Blue Devils in five innings Wednesday.

Sands walked leadoff hitter Donnie Johnson, then gave up a single to Angelo Hardy and a run-scoring double to Mike Warren as Gallipolis went up 1-0.

But Sands struck out the next seven batters and allowed just an infield single the rest of the way as Ironton won its fourth straight.

"I found my rhythm and started hitting the spots I wanted with my pitches," said Sands, who had 10 strikeouts and just one walk in pitching a three-hitter.

Ironton (10-6) had eight hits led by Kevin Williams who was 2-3 with a double and two runs batted in. Derek Moore was 1-3 with a triple and three RBI.

"Josh threw a real nice game. Gallipolis has some nice looking hitters in their lineup," Ironton coach Mark Lewis said.

The Fighting Tigers scored four runs in the second inning to take the lead for good.

Nick Collins tripled and Jeff Parnell singled for the first run. Chris Collins walked and Williams singled home Parnell. Moore and Tyler Whaley each grounded out as runs scored.

The lead went to 6-1 in the fourth when Williams walked, Moore tripled and Whaley doubled.

Ironton ended the game early with a five-run fifth inning.

With one out, Parnell walked and Chris Collins singled. Williams doubled off the fence as a run scored.

Moore's ground out scored Collins and it was 8-1. Whaley and Matt White walked to load the bases and a wild pitch scored Williams.

Sands hit a two-out pop fly that fell in behind first base as Whaley and White raced home with the game-ending runs.

The Fighting Tigers travel to Greenfield McClain at noon Saturday.

Gallipolis10000-133

Ironton04025-1181

Craft, Miller (5) and Pulline. Josh Sands and Derek Moore. W-Sands (10-K, 1-W, 1-ER). L-Craft. 2B-Gallipolis: Mike Warren; Ironton: Tyler Whaley, Kevin Williams. 3B-Ironton: Nick Collins, Derek Moore. SB-Ironton: Derek Moore, Josh Sands. LOB-Gallipolis 4, Ironton 6. Hitting-Gallipolis: Angelo Hardy 1-3, Mike Warren 1-2, Steve Kinney 1-2; Ironton: Kevin Williams 2-3 (2 RBI), Derek Moore 1-3 (3 RBI), Tyler Whaley 1-3 (2 RBI), Josh Sands 1-4, Nick Collins 1-3, Jeff Parnell 1-2, Chris Collins 1-2.