Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

The little things do mean a lot.

Ironton put the little things together for a big offensive effort as the Fighting Tigers belted the River Valley Raiders 9-4 on Saturday.

The Fighting Tigers had 12 hits to back the pitching of Larry Morris, Richard Crockrel and Andy Bruce.

Morris went five innings to get the win. He struck out six, walked four — three in the first inning — and allowed just three hits an one earned run.

“We hit the ball better. It was a good day for us as we were able to improve on doing the little things that help you win,” said Ironton coach Larry Goodwin.

“Morris settled down to pitch well despite problems in the first inning.”

River Valley went up 1-0 in the top of the first inning on walks to Barber, Hatfield and Gilliland and a passed ball.

But Ironton answered with four runs in the bottom of the fourth to take the lead.

Hunter Klaiber singled, moved up on an error by the pitcher and scored on a hit by Luke Kelley. Hunter Weber was it by a pitch and Bruce had a two-run single.

Bruce stole second, went to third on a ground out and scored when Tanner Price was safe on a dropped third strike.

The Raiders got a run in the top of the third on hits by Barber and Ragan, a double steal and an error on the play.

Ironton (5-2) answered with three runs in the bottom of the inning.

Dane Wilson and Garrett Carrico singled and Klaiber spanked a two-run double. Weber reached on an error as Klaiber scored.

River Valley got a run in the fifth when Barber singled and Ragan reached on a throwing error.

The Fighting Tigers added a pair of insurance runs in the sixth.

With two outs, Wilson, Carrico and Klaiber all singled for a run. Carrico moved up on the return throw from the outfield and Kelley capped the scoring with an RBI single.

River Valley managed a run in the seventh when Ragan walked, went to third on a ground out and scored on Kemper’s base hit.

Ironton’s 12-hit assault was led by Carrico who was 3-for-3 and Klaiber who went 3-for-3 with a double and three runs batted in.

Kelley also had a big day going 3-4 with two RBI, Wilson was 2-4 while Bruce had a hit and two RBI.

Austin Barber was 2-2 for River Valley.

Ironton plays at Chesapeake on Monday in an Ohio Valley Conference game.

River Valley 101 010 1 = 4 4 2

Ironton 043 002 x = 9 12 2

Kemper, Ragan (4) and Austin Barber. Larry Morris, Richard Crockrel (6), Andy Bruce (7) and Hunter Weber. W-Morris (K-6, BB-4, H-3, R-3, ER-1). Crockrel (IP-1, K-1,BB-3). Bruce (IP-1, K-2, BB-1, H-1, R-1, ER-0). L-Kemper (IP-3, K-3, BB-1, H-7, R-7, ER-6). Ragan (IP-3, K-1,BB-2, H-5, R-2, ER-2). Hitting—RV: Austin Barber 2-2, Dillon Ragan 1-3, Kemper 1-3 rbi; Ironton: Dane Wilson 2-4, Garrett Carrico 3-3, Hunter Klaiber 3-3 rbi-3, Luke Kelley 3-4 rbi-2, Hunter Weber rbi, Andy Bruce 1-2 rbi-2, Tanner Price rbi. 2B-Hunter Klaiber.