By JIM WALKER

Tribune Sports Editor

COAL GROVE — With only two returning starters from last year, Ironton coach Tobey Schreck knew to expect the unexpected this season.

Ironton got an unexpected easy win Tuesday as the Fighting Tigers topped the Coal Grove Hornets 11-1 in five innings.

“We played better today. We’re such a young team. We’re going to be up and down all year. Today was an up day,” said Schreck.

Steve Easterling gave a “thumbs up” pitching performance as he tossed a two-hitter. Easterling struck out nine and walked two.

“He threw the ball well,” said Schreck.

Jonathan Williams led a 13-hit attack as he went 2-4 with a three-run homer. Tyler Salyers, Pierce Reeves, Trey Spencer and Brandon Leach all had two hits each with Leach tagging a double.

Ironton (1-1) broke a scoreless tie with two runs in the second inning.

Leach doubled, Spencer was hit by a pitch, Reeves singled to load the bases and Salyers had a two-run single.

The lead went to 6-0 in the third inning.

Jordan McMaster walked, Nick Culbertson singled and Corey Kellogg reached on an error. Leach singled home two runs and Kellogg scored on a wild pitch.

Spencer capped the rally with an RBI single.

Coal Grove (1-1) got its run in the fourth inning when Cody Pennington singled, took second on a passed ball and scored on a hit by Jared Eldridge.

But Ironton put the game away with a five-run fifth inning.

Leach walked, Spencer singled and Reeves walked to load the bases. Salyers singled home a run, Easterling hit a sacrifice fly and Williams unloaded his home run.

Ironton hosts Chesapeake on Thursday.

Ironton 024 05 = 11 13 0

Coal Grove 000 10 = 1 2 2

Steve Easterling and Corey Kellogg. Jared Eldridge and Jake Murphy. W-Easterling (9-K, 2-BB).L-Eldridge (K-2, BB-4). 2B-Ironton: Brandon Leach. HR-Ironton: Jonathan Williams. Hitting-Ironton: Tyler Salyers 2-4, Steve Easerling 1-3, Jonathan Williams 2-4 3-rbi, Jordan McMaster 1-3, Nick Culbertson 1-3, Brandon Leach 2-3, Trey Spencer 2-2, Pierce Reeves 2-2; Coal Grove: Cody Pennington 1-2, Jared Eldridge 1-2.