Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

ASHLAND, Ky. — Ironton coach Larry Goodwin won a battle even if the Ironton Fighting Tigers lost the war.

Ironton played well against the talented Ashland Tomcats before losing 5-4 on Thursday.

“Sean (Lawless) pitched a good game. Our defense played well and came up with a few big plays when we needed them,” said Goodwin.

“Offensively, we need to execute our plays more effectively. Ashland is a good team. This is the type of game that will make us better and grow as a team.”

Lawless went six innings and allowed four runs and seven hits. He left with the game tied 4-4.

Ironton (5-5) had seven hits with Luke Diamond going 2-4, Cody Wise was 1-2 with a run batted in, Lawless 1-2, Korey Kellogg 1-3 with an RBI, and Derek Battise and Mo Phillips also had a hit each.

The Tomcats took a 1-0 lead in the first inning before Ironton took a 4-1 lead with two runs in each the second and third innings.

Ashland (12-7) answered with three runs in the bottom of the third to tie the game and managed to get a run in the bottom of the seventh inning to pull out the win.

Ironton 022 000 0 = 4 7 1

Ashland 103 000 1 = 5 8 2

Sean Lawless, Derek Battise (7) and Mo Phillips. Jake Hall and Cameron Fritz. W-Hall. L-Battise (IP-1, R-1, H-1, K-0, BB-1). Lawless IP-6, K-2, BB-4, H-7, R-4. Hitting-Ironton: Luke Diamond 2-4, Mo Phillips 1-4, Derek Battise 1-3, Korey Kellogg 1-3 rbi, Cody Wise 1-2 rbi, Sean Lawless 1-2; Ashland: Logan Salow 2-2, Aaron Elam 1-3, Cameron Fritz rbi-3.