The former great major league baseball catcher Yogi Berra once said, “Half the game is 90 percent pitching.”

Ironton senior Chad Miller applied that Yogi-ism Monday as he pitched the Fighting Tigers to a 5-2 Southeastern Ohio Athletic League win over the Portsmouth Trojans.

“It’s all about pitching,” Ironton coach Tobey Schreck said. “We got good pitching the last two games and we won both games.

“Chad pitched a heck of a game. He threw hard, but the big thing for him was his control.”

Miller struck out 10 batters but did not issue a walk. Only one run was earned and he gave up just six hits, two after the second inning.

Ironton (4-5, 3-4) jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning.

Miller doubled and scored on a hit by T.J. Keith to start the inning. David Bridges and Nick Lewis both singled for a run and Tanner Reed’s base hit drove in the final run.

Portsmouth (4-5, 3-2) came back with two runs in the top of the second inning and it was 3-2.

With one out, Brian Estep and Shane Porter singled. After a passed ball moved the runners up a base, Cody Colley singled them home.

But Ironton answered with a run in the bottom of the inning.

Byron Brammer singled and was forced out at second base by Keith. But Keith stole second base and scored on a hit by Bridges.

The Fighting Tigers added an insurance run in the third inning.

Jeremy Moore and Reed singled, Wes Runyon walked and Josh Pancake singled in Moore.

Ironton pounded out 13 hits with Miller, Reed and Moore all going 2-3. Bridges was 2-4.

The Fighting Tigers host Fairland Tuesday and visit Chillicothe Friday in a league game.

Portsmouth0200000=260

Ironton3110000=5131

Taylor and Howard Harcha. Chad Miller and Tanner Reed. W-Miller (10-K, 0-BB, 1-ER). L-Taylor (4-K, 1-BB, 5-ER). 2B-Portsmouth: Walker; Ironton: Chad Miller. Hitting-Portsmouth: John Walker 2-3, Brian Estep 1-3, Shane Porter 2-3, Cody Colley 1-3; Ironton: Chad Miller 2-3, T.J. Keith 1-4, David Bridges 2-4, Nick Lewis 1-3, Jeremy Moore 2-3, Tanner Reed 2-3, Wes Runyon 1-2, Josh Pancake 1-3, Byron Brammer 1-3.