When the North came to visit, Ironton’s offense went south.

The Fighting Tigers hosted the Warren Warriors Tuesday in the Southeastern Ohio Athletic League “Day of Champions” as the teams battled for third place.

Ironton’s high-scoring offense went quiet as Josh Ward limited the Fighting Tigers to four hits as Warren took a 5-2 win.

“We just didn’t hit the ball like we have been,” said Ironton coach Tobey Schreck. “Their pitcher was able to change speeds and keep us off-balance, but I thought we would have hit better than we did.”

Chad Miller was the tough-luck pitcher. He struck out eight, walked four and hit a batter.

Ironton took a 1-0 lead in the first inning when T.J. Keith reached on an error, stole second, moved to third on an error and scored when Tanner Reed grounded out.

Warren tied the game in the second inning on a double by Justin Adams and a base hit with Larry Lemon.

The Warriors took a 2-1 lead in the third inning on a walk to Cory Hooper and a triple by Tyler Spencer.

The lead went to 3-1 in the top of the fourth inning and then Keith and Reed teamed up to give Ironton its second run in the bottom of the fourth. Keith — who went 2-3 on the day — tripled and Reed put down a sacrifice bunt.

Warren got a pair of insurance runs in the seventh inning. Wynn tripled, Wagner singled, Hooper walked and Adams singled.

Ironton’s only other threat came in the fifth when Josh Pancake got a triple but was left stranded.

In other SEOAL Day of Champions games Tuesday, Zanesville edged Portsmouth 5-4 for first place, Marietta blanked Gallipolis 7-0, Logan topped Chillicothe 7-5, and Athens outscored Jackson 10-7.

Ironton visits Rock Hill Thursday and hosts Minford Friday.

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Josh Ward and Garrett Proctor. Chad Miller and Tanner Reed. W-Ward (7-K, 0-BB). L-Miller (8-K, 4-BB, 1-HBP). 2B-Warren: Garrett Proctor, Tyler Wynn Justin Adams; Ironton: T.J. Keith. 3B-Warren: Tyler Wynn, Tyler Spencer; Ironton: Josh Pancake. Sac-Ironton: Tanner Reed. Hitting-Warren: Ethan Bonnette 1-3, Garrett Proctor 2-4, Tyler Wynn 2-4, Daniel Wagner 1-3, Tyler Spencer 1-4, Justin Adams 2-4, Larry Lemon 1-3; Ironton: T.J. Keith 2-3, Nick Lewis 1-3, Josh Pancake 1-2.