Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

Derek Battise tried to turn the first annual Wooden Bat Classic into a hitless classic.

Battise pitched six innings of no-hit baseball before allowing two hits in the seventh inning as the Ironton Fighting Tigers beat the Fairview Eagles 7-2 Saturday in the season opener.

Battise struck out 10, walked six and hit a batter as he settled for a two-hitter.

“It was a great way to start the season. Derek pitched a great game. We hit the ball well with the wood bats, and we were able to execute our offense,” said Ironton coach Larry Goodwin.

Trevor Easterling went 3-3 with four runs scored to lead Ironton’s 12-hit attack. Luke Diamond was 2-3 with an RBI, Battise 2-4 with two RBI, Lucas Campbell 2-4 with an RBI, Hunter Weber 2-4 and Dane Wilson 1-2 with a pair of runs batted in.

Each team scored a run in the first inning.

Fairview scored on two walks, a hit batsman and a wild pitch.

Ironton tied the game when Easterling walked, moved up on a passed ball, took third on Diamond’s hit and scored on a passed ball.

The Fighting Tigers took a 2-1 lead in the third.

Easterling singled, moved up on a ground out and scored on a hit by Battise.

The Fighting Tigers pushed across four runs in the fifth inning.

Easterling, Diamond, Battise and Weber all singled for a run and Campbell doubled home a run.

Harley Paholsky was hit by a pitch and Wilson had a two-run single.

Easterling singled, stole second, went to third on a passed ball and scored on a sacrifice fly by Diamond in the sixth for a 7-1 lead.

The Eagles finally got a hit in the seventh inning. Smith singled, Storms walked and Roy had an RBI single.

Goodwin expressed his appreciation to former Ironton coach Mike Burcham, the tournament’s namesake.

“Thanks to coach Burcham for throwing out the first pitch of the first annual Mike Burcham Wood Bat Classic,” said Goodwin.

Ironton hosts South Point on Tuesday.

Fairview 100 000 1 = 2 2 0

Ironton 101 041 x = 7 12 1

Storm and Ruggles. Derrick Battise and Hunter Weber. W-Battise (K-10, BB-6, ER-1, HBP-1). L-Storms (K-10, BB-3, HBP-1, ER-6). 2B-Ironton: Lucas Campbell. SF-Ironton: Luke Diamond. SB-Fairview: Smith. Ironton: Trevor Easterling 2, Tanner Price 2, Lucas Campbell, Dane Wilson. Hitting-Fairview: Smith 1-3, Roy 1-4 RBI; Ironton: Trevor Easterling 3-3 4-R, Luke Diamond 2-3 RBI, Derrick Battise 2-4 2-RBI, Hunter Weber 2-4, Lucas Campbell 2-4 RBI, Dane Wilson 1-2 2-RBI.