Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

PORTSMOUTH — This Diamond was quite a jewel.

Luke Diamond pitched an eight-hitter as the Ironton Fighting Tigers beat the Portsmouth Notre Dame Titans 11-2 on Tuesday.

Diamond struck out seven and walked four in going the distance.

“Luke Diamond pitched well. We played much better defense tonight,” said Ironton coach Larry Goodwin whose team made just one error.

“Richard Crockrel made several nice plays at third base. Andy Bruce made some nice plays in centerfield as well. As a team, we have to continue to work hard and keep improving every day.”

Dane Wilson and Andy Bruce supplied the big bats for Ironton. Wilson was 3-for-4 with three runs batted in and Bruce was 2-3 with a double and an RBI.

Kyle Kleinman was 2-2 with two RBIs and Diamond was 2-4 with a pair of RBIs.

Ironton (6-5) got a run in the third when Wilson singled, soled second, went to third on a throwing error and scored on a passed ball.

Notre Dame tied the game in the bottom of the inning when C.J. Corns and Cam Rodriguez singled and Hayden Baker reached on an error.

But Ironton scored three in the fourth to take the lead for good.

Luke Kelley singled, Hunter Weber doubled and Bruce doubled for an RBI. Chase Rowe walked and Wilson had a two-run single.

The lead went to 8-1 in the sixth inning.

Bruce singled and Richard Crockrel was hit by a pitch to start the rally. Kyle Kleinman then singled home Bruce and a throwing error moved the runners up.

Diamond singled home a run and Garrett Carrico followed with a two-run single.

The Fighting Tigers tacked on three more runs in the seventh.

With one out, Bruce was hit by a pitch and Crockrel and Kleinman singled for a run. Wilson grounded out as Crockrel scored and Diamond singled home Kleinman.

The Titans got a run in the bottom of the inning when Rodriguez walked and Tyler Speas and Tyson Montgomery singled.

Ironton will play three straight road games at Fairland, Rock Hill and South Point the next three days.

Ironton 001 304 3 = 11 13 1

Notre Dame 001 000 1 = 2 8 2

Luke Diamond and Hunter Weber. C.J. Corns, Drew Cassidy (5), Michael Collins (7) and Billy Book. W-Diamond (K-7, BB-4, ER-2). L-Corns (IP-4, K-3, BB-3, H-6, R-4, ER-3). Cassidy (IP-2, K-0, BB-2, H-4, R-4, ER-4). Collins (IP-1, K-1, BB-0, H-3, R-3, ER-3). Hitting—Ironton: Dane Wilson 3-4 rbi-3, Luke Diamond 2-4 rbi-2, Garrett Carrico 1-4 rbi-2, Luke Kelley 1-3, Hunter Weber 1-4 2B, Andy Bruce 2-3 rbi 2B, Richard Crockrel 1-3, Kyle Kleinman 2-2 rbi-2; PND: C.J. Corns 1-3, Cam Rodriguez 2-2, Hayden Baker 1-4 rbi, Tyler Speas 2-4, Tyson Montgomery 1-3, Grant Sparks 1-3.