PORTSMOUTH — Talk about ending a game before it gets started.

The Ironton Lady Fighting Tigers erupted for 10 runs in the first inning and went on to rout the Portsmouth Lady Trojans 21-3 Monday in a Southeastern Ohio Athletic League game.

“Our heads were in the game tonight. It was so good to see the girls rally together and get it going so fast,” said Ironton coach Missy Fields.

“I was afraid we would be down because of the loss to Gallipolis, but it was totally on the contrary. It was a total team effort.”

Ironton banged out 15 hits with Nikki Elswick going 3-for-3 and Sarah Jones 3-5 to lead the hit parade.

Janie Morris was 2-3 with a double, Emily Lilly 2-3, Brea Tackett 1-3, Edi Taylor 1-1 with a double, and Mercedes Crockrel, Stephanie Diamond and Shelby Walker all went 1-1.

Ironton pitcher Kylie Summer gave up four hits

in five innings for the win.

The game was a Strike Out Cancer contest to raise money for breast cancer research.

The two teams formed a circle before the game to pray for cancer victims and their families. There was also a moment of silence in memory of Portsmouth athletic director Tom Grashel who died of pancreatic cancer earlier this year.

Ironton will wear their Strike Out Cancer T-shirts Friday as they host Chillicothe. A benefit raffle will be held for an Easton bat and two coach purses.

Ironton(10)4331=21151

Portsmouth30000=342

Kylie Summer and Edi Taylor. Drake, Howell (3), Koereler (5) and Cooper, Walsh (5). W-Summer. L-Drake. 2B-Ironton: Edi Taylor, Janie Morris. Hitting-Ironton: Edi Taylor 1-1, Brea Tackett 1-3, Mercedes Crockrel 1-1, Janie Morris 2-3, Emily Lilly 3-3, Sarah Jones 3-5, Stephanie Diamond 1-1, Shelby Walker 1-1. Portsmouth: Hopkins 1-2, Cooper 2-3, Allen 1-2.