PORTSMOUTH — Howie was wowie.

Ironton junior pitcher Howie Lucas struck out 14 including the final out with the bases loaded as the Fighting Tigers beat the Portsmouth Trojans 3-1 Tuesday in a Southeastern Ohio Athletic League game.

Lucas allowed just four hits as Ironton won its season opener.

“Howie threw a heck of a game, but he really clutched up and struck out the guy who hit a home run off him earlier. It was a gutty effort,” said Ironton coach Tobey Schreck.

Ironton was leading 3-1 in the bottom of seventh when Portsmouth loaded the bases with two outs. But Lucas fanned Josh Myers who had hit a solo home run an inning earlier.

The Fighting Tigers used the long ball to get the lead as Geoff White belted a two-run shot in the fourth inning after Darren Dalton opened the inning with a base hit.

Ironton added a run in the top of the seventh on doubles by Jonathan Williams and Zach Kriebel.

White was 3-for-3 with two doubles and a home run.

Ironton visits Gallipolis Wednesday in a league game.

Ironton 000 200 1 = 3 8 3

Portsmouth 000 001 0 = 1 4 1

Howie Lucas and Geoff White. Arrowood, Stevens (7) and Howard. W-Lucas (14-K, 3-BB, 1-ER). L-Arrowood (5-K, 2-BB, 2-ER). 2B-Ironton: Geoff White 2, Zach Kriebel, Jonathan Williams. Portsmouth: Howard. HR-Ironton: Geoff White. Portsmouth: Myers. Hitting-Ironton: Tommy Waginger 1-4, Darren Dalton 1-4, Geoff White 3-3 2-rbi, Chris Warner 1-3, Jonathan Williams 1-3, Zach Kriebel 1-2 rbi. Portsmouth: Myers 1-4 rbi, Howard 2-3, Jackson 1-3.