MINFORD — When the Ironton Fighting Tigers “Kettel” gets hot, the opposition’s bats seem to cool down.

Greg Kettel pitched five strong innings for his first win as the Ironton Fighting Tigers beat the Minford Falcons 6-1 Friday.

“I keep losing 2-0 and 2-1 games. It’s nice to get a win,” Kettel said after allowing two hits, striking out four and not issuing a walk.

“Greg threw the ball well. He had good control and was moving the ball around well. He’s thrown the ball well all season,” Ironton coach Mark Lewis said.

Ironton jumped on Minford starter Jared Farmer for three runs in the first inning.

Chris Rakes and Dennis Gagai opened the game with back-to-back base hits. Dustin Preston walked to load the bases and Chad Miller grounded out as a run scored.

Troy Allen put down a squeeze bunt for the second run. Tanner Reed then walked and stole second base with courtesy runner Jay Rudmann scoring on the throw to second.

T.J. Keith led off the fourth inning with a double and scored on a hit by Rakes as Ironton’s lead went to 4-0 in the fourth inning.

The Fighting Tigers (10-7) added two insurance runs in the seventh inning.

Gagai led off with a base hit, Preston walked and Miller had a run-scoring single. Allen grounded into a force play to put runners on the corners and Reed hit a sacrifice fly to drive in the final run.

“We took advantage of our opportunities,” Lewis said. “We had nine hits and we had a lot of balls we hit hard but right at someone.”

Minford spoiled the shutout with an unearned run in the bottom of the seventh inning on an error, a single by Justin Vetter, a walk to Ethan Gaines and a single by Keenan Havens.

Rakes, Gagai and Keith each went 2-for-4.

Ironton hosts Russell, Ky., Monday and plays at South Point Tuesday in the Division III sectional tournament.

Minford, which had won 11 of its last 13, fell to 12-8.

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Greg Kettel, Chad Miller (6) and Dustin Preston. Jared Farmer and Andy Bailey. W-Kettel (4-K, 0-BB, 2-H, 0-R, 1-HBP). Save-Chad Miller (2-K, 2-BB, 2-H, 1-R, 0-ER). L-Farmer (2-K, 3-BB, 2-WP, 6-ER). HBP-by Kettel (Jared Farmer). 2B-Ironton: T.J. Keith. Sac-Ironton: Troy Allen 2. SF-Ironton: Tanner Reed. SB-Ironton: J.J. Johnson, Tanner Reed, Dennis Gagai, T.J. Keith. Hitting-Ironton: Chris Rakes 2-4 (rbi), Dennis Gagai 2-4, Chad Miller 1-4 (2 rbi), T.J. Keith 2-4, J.J. Johnson 1-3; Minford: Keenan Havens 1-4 (rbi), Luke Lester 1-3, Andy Bailey 1-4, Justin Vetter 1-1.