GALLIPOLIS — There’s something about the seventh inning that brings out the best in the Ironton Fighting Tigers.

Last Friday, Ironton trailed 2-1 with two outs in the seventh inning and rallied to win 4-2 over Greenup County, Ky.

Tuesday, Ironton found itself down 2-1 in the seventh inning and came back to take a 5-2 win.

“We’ve been able to come back several times this year. I guess that’s why you play seven innings,” Ironton coach Mark Lewis said. “I don’t like waiting until the last inning. It’s giving me more gray hair than I already have.”

Trevor Allen led off the top of the seventh with a long solo home run to tie the score.

An out later, Chris Rakes was hit by a pitch and Dennis Gagai got his fourth hit of the game as he singled Rakes to third base. Gagai took second on the throw to third and Gallipolis elected to intentionally walk Dustin Preston to load the bases.

Chad Miller crossed up the strategy with two-run double that gave Ironton a 4-2 lead. Troy Allen put down a squeeze bunt to score Preston with an insurance run.

The comeback made a winner of Gagai who worked the last two innings. He struck out three and gave up two hits.

Rakes went the first five innings, striking out two, walking one and allowing three hits and two unearned runs.

Ironton took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning on singled by Gagai, Miller and Troy Allen.

Gallipolis tied the game in the bottom of the inning when Matt Mooney walked, Luke Haislop singled and Austin King reached on an error.

The Blue Devils took the lead in the third inning when Mooney reached on an error and Justin Saunders singled.

Besides Gagai’s hitting, Trevor Allen was 2-3 and Miller 2-4 as Ironton banged out 11 hits.

Ironton, 9-7, plays at Minford Friday. Gallipolis fell to 13-7.

Ironton1000004=5112

Gallipolis1010000=251

Chris Rakes, Dennis Gagai (6) and Dustin Preston. Shawn Thompson and Luke Haislop. (Rakes 2-K, 1-BB, 3-H). W-Gagai (3-K, 0-BB, 2-H). L-Thompson (2-K, 1-BB, 5-ER). Sac-Ironton: Troy Allen. 2B-Ironton: Dustin Preston, Chad Miller, Tanner Reed, Trevor Allen. HR-Ironton: Trevor Allen. Hitting-Ironton: Dennis Gagai 4-4, Dustin Preston 1-3, Chad Miller 2-4 (2 rbi), Troy Allen 1-3 (rbi), Tanner Red 1-3, Trevor Allen 2-3 (rbi); Gallipolis: Justin Saunders 1-3, Luke Haislop 1-3, Shawn Thompson 1-3, Chris Miller 1-3, Brad Caudill 1-3.