Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

GALLIPOLIS — It was a battle for first place. As it turned out, Gallipolis was able to dictate the terms of victory.

The Blue Devils posted a 12-2 win in six innings as they beat the Fairland Dragons 12-2 in a game between the Ohio Valley Conference co-leaders.

Gallipolis is now 8-2 in the OVC while Fairland falls to 7-3.

Josh Faro got the win with a six-hitter. He struck out two and did not walk a batter.

Three Fairland pitchers combined for eight walks and two hit batsmen.

“Walks were our problem. You can’t put people on base,” said Fairland coach Alex Beelen.

Fairland took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first.

Trace Adkins singled, Collin Damron was hit by a pitch, Seth Clay had an RBI single and Damron scored on a hit by Eli Bowen.

Gallipolis got a run back in the bottom of the inning when Matt Bailey singled, stole second, went to third on a passed ball and Anthony Sipple hit a sacrifice fly.

The Blue Devils scored five runs in the third.

Braden Simms reached on an error, Kole Carter walked, Bailey bunted for a hit, Sipple singled, Eric Ward hit a sacrifice fly, Jeremy Brumfield singled and Ryan Terry had a two-run double.

The lead went to 8-2 in the fourth on a walk, hit batsman and Brumfield’s base hit.

John Stout walked, Faro had a sacrifice bunt, Simms reached on an error and Bailey singled for a run in the fifth.

Gallipolis ended the game with three runs in the sixth.

Ward walked, Brumfield was hit by a pitch, Terry bunted for a hit and a throwing error on the play scored two runs. Stout and Faro were walked intentionally and Simms singled to end the game.

The Dragons visit Rock Hill on Monday.

Fairland 200 000 = 2 6 3

Gallipolis 105 213 = 12 9 0

Seth Clay, Tyler George (3), Trace Adkins (6) and Eli Bowen. Josh Faro and Anthony Sipple. W-Faro (K-2, BB-0, ER-2). L-Clay (IP-3, K-1, BB-3, R-6, ER-5, H-5). George (IP-2, K-0, BB-3, R06, ER-5, H-3). Adkins (BB-2, H-1). Hiiting-FHS: Trace Adkins 1-3, Seth Clay 1-3 rbi, Eli Bowen 1-2, Evan Burcham 2-2, Hayden James 1-2; Gallia: Matt Bailey 3-4 rbi, Anthony Sipple 1-2 rbi-2, Eric Ward rbi Jeremy Brumfield 2-2 rbi, Ryan Terry 2-4 rbi-3 2B, Braden Simms 1-4 rbi.