Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

PEDRO — Playing small came up big for the Ironton Fighting Tigers.

Using bunts and strong pitching, Ironton held on to beat the Rock Hill Redmen 5-4 on Thursday in an Ohio Valley Conference game.

Cody Rawlins went six solid innings and Larry Morris came on to record an impressive save to give Ironton the win.

“We did not hit well, but we were able to execute several bunts. We had to manufacture our runs tonight with small ball,” said Ironton coach Larry Goodwin.

“Cody Rawlins pitched a good game. Larry Morris gave us a strong seventh inning performance to get the save.”

Ironton had eight hits with Luke Diamond, Andy Bruce and Richard Crockrel all going 2-for-3 while Garrett Carrico was 2-4 with two runs batted in.

Goodwin said clutch defensive plays were a key factor.

“Our defense really helped us out tonight. We turned several double plays to get us out of the innings. Luke Diamond and Richard Crockrel made some really good defensive plays,” said Goodwin.

Ironton took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning when Dane Wilson walked, Luke Diamond beat out an infield hit and Garrett Carrico had an RBI single.

Rock Hill (0-6, 0-5) tied the game in the bottom of the inning.

Drew McClaskey had a bunt single, Sean McFann reached on an error and Danny Long had a run-scoring single.

The score remained tied until the Fighting Tigers scored four runs in the fourth.

Hunter Weber walked, Bruce singled and Crockrel bunted for a hit. A throwing error on the play scored Weber and left runners at second and third.

Wilson was hit by a pitch and a passed ball scored Crockrel. Diamond walked and Carrico connected on a two-run single.

The Redmen scored a run in the fifth when Heath Carpenter singled, went to third on an error and scored on a passed ball.

Rock Hill mounted a rally in the seventh that fell short.

Levi Wilds and Cody Lewis singled and McClaskey reached on an error as Wilds scored.

Morris came on in relief and struck out the first batter he faced. Corey Noel grounded out as a run scored, but Morris struck out the next batter to end the game.

On Friday, Ironton visits South Point and Rock Hill hosts Fairland.

Ironton 100 400 0 = 5 8 3

Rock Hill 100 010 2 = 4 7 2

Cody Rawlins, Larry Morris (7) and Hunter Weber. Brandon Schob, Danny Long (5) and Cody Lewis. W-Rawlins (IP-6, K-2, BB-4, R-4, ER-0, H-7). Save-Morris (IP-1, K-2). L-Schob (IP-4, K-2, BB-3, HBP-1, H-7, R-5, ER-5). Long (IP-3, K-3, BB-1, H-1). Hitting—Ironton: Luke Diamond 2-3, Garrett Carrico 2-4 rbi-2, Andy Bruce 2-3, Richard Crockrel 2-3; RH: Drew McClaskey 1-3, Danny Long 1-2, Brandon Schob 1-3, Heath Carpenter 1-3, Austin Barcus 1-3, Levi Wilds 1-2, Cody Lewis 1-3.