Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

A boxer isn’t the only one who can get up off the mat after they get knocked down.

The Fighting Tigers bounced back from a tough loss on Tuesday by cranking out 11 hits in a 14-1 five-inning rout of the Huntington St. Joseph Irish on Wednesday.

“We needed a win to get our momentum back. Our players bounced back after a tough loss last night,” said Ironton coach Larry Goodwin.

Ironton (10-9) proved 13 isn’t an unlucky number as the Fighting Tigers erupted for 13 runs in the second inning to settle the outcome early.

The Fighting Tigers took a 1-0 lead in the first when Garrett Carrico walked, stole second and scored on a hit by Luke Kelley.

Then came the second inning eruption.

Andy Bruce reached on a fielder’s choice, Kyle Kleinman singled and a throwing error scored the run.

Tanner Price and Dane Wilson had singles to produce a run. Luke Diamond then singled in a run.

Carrico had a base hit, Kelley and Hunter Weber walked and Bruce reached on an error for a run.

Kleinman had an RBI singled, a passed ball scored Bruce and Wilson singled for a run. Diamond was safe on an error, Carrico singled, Kelley was hit by a pitch, and Weber walked to force in a run.

The Irish managed a run in the fourth on hits by John Hankins and Hunter Adams and a ground out by Jack Tolliver.

Cody Rawlins worked three scoreless innings for the win. He struck out nine, walked one and allowed just one hit. Kleinman finished as he struck out two, walked one and gave up two hits.

Wilson was 2-for-4 with three runs batted in, Carrico 2-3, Diamond 2-3 and Kleinman 2-3 with an RBI, Price 1-2, Kelley 1-2 with two RBI, and Bruce 1-3.

Hunt. St. Joe 00 10 = 1 3 6

Ironton 1(13)0 0x = 14 11 0

John Piaskowski, Jack Tolliver (2) and Hunter Adams. Cody Rawlins, Kyle Kleinman (4) and Luke Kelley. W-Rawlins (IP-3, K-9, BB-1, H-1, R-0). Kleinman (IP-2, K-2, BB-1, R-1, ER-1, H-2). L-Piaskowski (IP-1.1, K-0, BB-5, H-6, R-9, ER-5). Tolliver (IP-2.2, K-0, BB-3, H-5, R-5, ER-1). Hitting—HSJ: John Hankins 2-2, Hunter Adams 1-2, Jack Tolliver rbi; Ironton: Dane Wilson 2-4 rbi-3, Luke Diamond 2-3 rbi, Garrett Carrico 2-3, Luke Kelley 1-2 rbi-2, Andy Bruce 1-3, Kyle Kleinman 2-3 rbi, Tanner Price 1-2 rbi.