By JIM WALKER

Tribune Sports Editor

 

It was a total contrast in games.

The Ironton Lady Fighting Tigers banged out 16 hits in a 26-2 win over the Coal Grove Lady Hornets in their first game on Saturday, then were locked up in a pitcher’s duel in the nightcap as they lost a 2-1 decision to the Minford Lady Falcons.

“I’m so proud of my girls’ effort in both games,” said Ironton coach Missy Fields. “Erin Wetzel went 12 innings without walking one batter. Our defense played very well behind her.

“The girls are starting to believe in each other and their teammates. We are improving in some areas every game.”

Ironton (5-2) was led by Karlee McMackin who went 4-5 with a triple and two runs batted in and Rebekkah Potter who was 2-3 with a triple and three RBI.

But there was plenty of help.

Emily Davis was 2-4 with three RBI, Saige Fields was 2-5 and four RBI, Amy McSorley 2-4 and four RBI, Lakin White 1-2 with three RBI, Meghan Taylor 1-3 and two RBI, and Kelsey Hackworth 2-2 and an RBI.

Wetzel — who also drove in two runs — got the win as she gave up three hits, struck out five and did not walk a batter.

Brook Blakeman, Kelci Grove and Emily Bowman each went 1-2 for Coal Grove.

In the second game, Kelsey Conkey won a pitcher’s duel with Wetzel as Minford took a 2-1 win.

Conkey gave up four hits, struck out 10 and did not walk a batter. Wetzel allowed six hits, fanned one and didn’t walk a batter.

Davis, White, McMackin and Saige Fields were all 1-3 for Ironton.

All the runs were scored in the first inning.

First Game

Coal Grove 000 20 = 2 3 9

Ironton 518 (12)x = 26 16 4

Kelci Grove, McKayla Truesdell (4) and Morgan Sites. Erin Wetzel and Saige Fields. W-Wetzel (K-5, BB-0). L-Grove (K-3, BB-2). Truesdell (K-1, BB-4). 2B-Ironton: Saige Fields. 3B-Ironton: Rebekkah Potter, Karlee McMackin. Hitting-CG: Brook Blakeman 1-2, Kelci Grove 1-2, Emily Bowman 1-2; Ironton: Emily Davis 2-4, Saige Fields 2-5, Rebekkah Potter 2-3, Lakin White 1-2, Karlee McMackin 4-5, Meghan Taylor 1-3, Amy McSorley 2-4, Kelsey Hackworth 2-2.

Second Game

Minford 200 000 0 = 2 6 1

Ironton 100 000 0 = 1 4 1

Kelsey Conkey and Furhmann. Erin Wetzel and Saige Fields. W-Conkey (K-10, BB-0). L-Wetzel (K-1, BB-0). Hitting-Minford: Fuhrmann 1-3, Pennington 2-3, Lowery 1-3, Jackol 1-3, Johnson 1-3; Ironton: Emily Davis 1-3, Saige Fields 1-3, Lakin White 1-3, Karlee McMackin 1-3.