LOUISA, Ky. - It's beginning to sound like a broken record.

The pitching and defense were evident, but the offense was absent as the Ironton Fighting Tigers lost 3-1 to the Lawrence County Bulldogs Saturday in the Bulldog Classic.

Ironton coach Mark Lewis was more than pleased with the effort of senior pitcher John Sands.

"Josh only gave up two hits and really settled down after the first couple of hitters. He did a heck of a job," Lewis said.

After a shaky start that saw the Bulldogs take an early, Sands retired 11 batters in a row.

He allowed just two hits, struck out six, and

walked four - one intentional.

"Our kids hung in there and battled. Their pitcher is one of the top arms in Kentucky, so we couldn't' afford any mistakes," Lewis said.

Ironton (1-3) got its only run in the first inning.

Sands reached on a missed third strike. Dennis Gagai singled to right field and the throw went to the catcher who made a bad throw trying to get Gagai advancing to second base. The poor throw allowed Sands to score.

The Bulldogs (4-5) rallied in the bottom of the inning for two runs.

Morgan Roberts walked, Blevins singled him to third base and moved to second on the relay throw trying to get the lead runner.

A wild pitch scored Roberts and Michael Compton followed with a sacrifice fly.

The lead went to 3-1 in the fifth.

Thomas Lewis drew a leadoff walk, moved up on a wild pitch, and scored on a two-out base hit by Roberts.

Ironton1000000-121

Lawrence Co.200010x-322

Josh Sands, Greg Linn (6) and Dustin Preston. Steve Blevins and Eric Parker. W-Blevins (12-K, 1-W, 0-ER). L-Sands 0-1 (6-K, 4-W, 3-ER). 2B-Ironton: Josh Adkins. SF-Lawrence Co.: Michael Compton. Hitting-Ironton: Dennis Gagai 1-2, Josh Adkins 1-3; Lawrence County: Morgan Roberts 1-2, Steve Blevins 1-2.