Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

If hitting is contagious, Ironton coach Larry Goodwin hopes his team has just come down with a season-long virus.

After getting just four hits in their first game, the Fighting Tigers erupted for 12 hits as they routed the Fairview Eagles 11-2 on Thursday.

“We came out and hit the ball real well. We were aggressive and put the bat on the ball early in the count,” said Goodwin who recorded his first career victory.

Aaron Stephens and Derek Battise sparked the 12-hit attack. Both went 2-4 with three runs batted in. Battise had two doubles and Stephens also had a double. Luke Diamond was 2-4 with two doubles and two RBI.

Sean Lawless went the distance to get the win and he also went 2-4 at the plate. Lawless gave up just four hits, struck out eight and walked only one.

“Sean Lawless pitched a nice game. He pounded the strike zone and kept the ball down and away all night,” said Goodwin. “On defense we started to communicate better and played with a purpose tonight. It was truly a total team effort.”

Fairview (1-6) took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning, but Ironton answered with four runs in the bottom of the frame and added two more runs in the second to lead 6-0.

Alex Ray had a double for the Eagles’ only extra base hit.

Ironton (1-1) plays at Adena on Friday.

Fairview 200 000 0 = 2 4 1

Ironton 420 122 x = 11 12 0

Cody Sammons and Jonathan Burke. Sean Lawless and Mo Phillips. W-Lawless (K-8, BB-1). L-Sammons (K-4, BB-4). 2B-Fairview: Alex Ray; Ironton: Aaron Stephens, Derek Battise 2, Luke Diamond 2. Hitting-Fairview: Alex Ray 1-3, Caleb McKnight 1-4, Brandon McDaniel 1-2; Ironton: Sean Lawless 2-4, Derek Battise 2-4 rbi-3, Aaron Stephens 2-4 rbi-3, Luke Diamond 2-4 rbi-2.