COAL GROVE — Teams like to peak at the end of the season, and evidently so does Travis Zimmerman.

Zimmerman pitched a two-hitter as the Chesapeake Panthers beat the Ironton Fighting Tigers 10-1 Tuesday in the Division III sectional tournament.

Zimmerman — who has signed with the University of Charleston — struck out 11 but walked nine in going the distance.

“He threw up to his potential as far as velocity and spotting the ball. He still walked too many, but that’s the best he’s thrown all year. And he hit the ball pretty ball,” said Panthers’ coach Joe Waugh.

Ironton starting pitcher Howie Lucas retired the first six batters he faced — four on strikeouts — before the wheels came off in the Panthers’ four-run third inning.

“We might as well have stayed home. We weren’t in the game from the first pitch. It was very disappointing,” said Ironton coach Tobey Schreck.

In the third, Jarred Brown doubled, Brandon Noble walked, Matt Angle and Colton Lindsey singled and Zimmerman hit a two-run homer.

The Panthers added two runs unearned runs in the fifth inning.

With two outs, Angle walked, Lindsey singled and Zimmerman was safe on an error as a run scored. Another error allowed the second run to score.

Chesapeake scored two runs in each the sixth and seventh inning.

Jon Baise and Zach Harris singled, Noble walked, Wes Lezu had an RBI single and Angle hit a sacrifice fly in the sixth inning rally.

In the seventh, Zimmerman and Gabe Freyre singled, Baise hit a sacrifice fly, and Freyre scored on a passed ball.

Ironton spoiled the shutout in the seventh inning when Josh Pancake drew his fourth walk, stole second, and came around to score on ground outs by Johnathon Schweickart and Keith Wetzel.

Tommy Waginger and Jonathan Williams singled for Ironton’s hits.

Chesapeake (7-14) plays at Fairland on Friday in the sectional finals at 5 p.m.

Chesapeake 004 022 2 = 10 10 0

Ironton 000 000 1 = 1 2 2

Travis Zimmerman and Brandon Noble. Howie Lucas, Jonathan Williams (6) and Geoff White. W-Zimmerman (11-K, 9-BB, 1-ER). L-Lucas (5-K, 3-BB, 5-H, 6-R, 4-ER). 2B-Chesapeake: Jarred Brown. HR-Chesapeake: Travis Zimmerman. Hitting-Chesapeake: Matt Angle 1-2, Colton Lindsey 2-3, Travis Zimmerman 2-4, Gabe Freyre 1-4, Jon Baise 1-3, Zach Harris 1-4, Jarred Brown 1-4, Wes Lezu 1-1; Ironton: Jonathan Williams 1-2, Tommy Waginger 1-3.