Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

Talk about getting left behind.

Ironton left 11 runners on base in a 5-3 loss to the Chesapeake Panthers on Wednesday in an Ohio Valley Conference game.

“We left too many runners on base. We did not get the big hits when we had scoring opportunities,” said Ironton coach Larry Goodwin.

Ironton (9-7, 4-5) took a 1-0 lead in the first inning.

Garrett Carrico was hit by a pitch, stole second, and scored on Luke Kelley’s base hit.

Chesapeake (8-4, 8-1) took a 2-1 lead in the fourth.

Jacob Henson singled, Blake Lester double and Dakota Blankenship hit a sacrifice fly. Jacob Eddy reached on an error as a run scored.

Ironton tied the game in the bottom of the inning when Hunter Klaiber walked, Hunter Weber singled and Andy Bruce grounded out.

The Panthers regained the lead in the top of the fifth with two runs.

Kolton Webb was safe on an error, Casey McComas walked and Lester doubled them home.

Chesapeake scored a run in the seventh when Kolton Webb was hit by a pitch, McComas reached when his sacrifice bunt attempt went for a fielder’s choice and Henson had an RBI single.

Ironton put together a threat in the bottom of the seventh.

Carrico was hit by a pitch, Kelley and Weber walked to load the bases and Bruce singled to drive in Carrico.

But Lester came on in relief and struck out the next batter to end the game.

Nate Smith worked four innings to get the win while Lester notched the save.

Dane Wilson pitched well in defeat. He struck out three, walked one and only two runs were earned.

Lester went 3-4 with three doubles and two runs batted in. Henson was 2-4.

Weber was 2-3 for Ironton as seven different players had hits.

Chesapeake 000 220 1 = 5 6 0

Ironton 100 100 1 = 3 8 2

Nate Smith, Derek Morris (5), Blake Lester (7) and Blake Ashworth. Dane Wilson and Hunter Weber. W-Smith (K-2, BB-1, R-2, ER-2, H-5). Morris (IP-2.2, K-2, BB-3, R-1, ER-1, H-2). Save-Lester (IP-0.1, K-1). L-Wilson (K-3, BB-1, ER-2). Hitting Chesy: Jacob Henson 2-4, rbi, Blake Lester 3-4 rbi-2 3-2B, Dakota Blankenship rbi, Blake Ashworth 1-3; Ironton: Luke Diamond 1-4, Garrett Carrico 1-2, Luke Kelley 1-3 rbi, Hunter Weber 2-3, Andy Bruce 1-3 rbi-2, Kyle Kleinman 1-4, Tanner Price 1-2.