By JIM WALKER

Tribune Sports Editor

 

BERLIN — The Ironton Senior League All-Stars went down in the state tournament championship series, but they didn’t go down without a fight.

The all-stars trailed just 3-2 in the bottom of the sixth inning before tournament favorite Holmes County scored three times and went on to win 6-2 to take the state title.

“It was a dandy run. They played well,” said Ironton coach Chuck Price.

“Our guys made great plays the whole tournament. They left it on the field every game. They were a fun bunch to coach.”

Holmes County got a run in the first but Ironton tied the game in the second inning when Brad Jenkins singled, stole second base, moved up on a wild pitch, and — after a walk to Tanner Price — came home on a hit by Trevor Easterling.

Ironton took a 2-1 lead in the top of the third on an RBI single by Maurice Phillips after Laden Delawder singled and stole second.

But Holmes County tied the game in the bottom of the inning and scratched across a run in the fourth to take the lead for good.

Derek Battise took the loss despite pitching five strong innings.

“Derek threw well, but he had to come out because of the pitch count,” said coach Price.

Holmes County managed to get three insurance runs in the sixth to secure the win.

Chris Woodard, Delawder, Battise, Jenkins, Phillips and Easterling all had one hit. Battise and Woodard had doubles.

Ironton 011 000 0 = 2 6 1

Holmes Co. 101 103 x = 6 9 1

Derek Battise, Brad Jenkins (6) and Hunter Weber. Hersbury, Yoder (6) and York. W-Hersbury. L-Battise. 2B-Ironton: Derek Battise, Chris Woodard; Holmes: Hersbury. 3B-Holmes: Troyer. Hitting-Ironton: Chris Woodard 1-4, Laden Delawder 1-3 run; Derek Battise 1-4, Brad Jenkins 1-4 run, Maurice Phillips 1-3 rbi, Trevor Easterling 1-2 rbi; Holmes County: Hersbury 2-4, Troyer 2-3.