Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

CHESAPEAKE — It took the Ironton Lady Fighting Tigers more than half the game to get even and then it took almost the entire game to get ahead.

It was worth the wait.

The Lady Fighting Tigers finally tied the game in the fifth inning before scoring twice in the seventh inning as they beat the Chesapeake Lady Panthers 5-3 on Monday in an Ohio Valley Conference game.

“The girls played great defense tonight behind Aley. We were much improved from out first game with Chesapeake,” said Ironton coach Missy Fields.

“We have been pushing the girls to finish the inning once we get two outs and tonight we did better with that. Their 1-4 batters hit the ball well.”

Chesapeake took a 1-0 lead in the first inning on singles by Kelsey Huff, Ryleigh Swann, Melanie Noble and Lyric Bair.

Ironton tied the game in the second on doubles by Aley Carmon and Ruthie Paholsky.

The Lady Panthers went back on top 2-1 in the third on a double by Huff and singles by Swann and Noble.

Each team got a run in the fourth.

Kenzie Cremeens and Carmon singled and Paholsky had an RBI double for Ironton.

Jordan Storms walked, Huff singled and Swann doubled for the Lady Panthers.

The Lady Fighting Tigers tied the game at 3-3 in the fifth when Kylie Barcus singled and Carmon reached on an error.

Ironton took the lead with two runs in the seventh.

Haylee Stevens, Barcus and Cremeens all singled for a run and Shay Cox hit into a fielder’s choice as a run scored.

Paholsky led Ironton’s 10-hit attack by going 3-3 with two doubles and two runs batted in. Cremeens was 2-4 with two RBIs and Barcus and Carmon were 2-4.

“Our 2-5 batters really hit the ball well tonight,” said Fields. “Barcus makes things happen when she gets on base. Cremeens is working hard to get on base. She’s a hustler. Carmon continues to be a force at the plate. Paholsky had one of her better games tonight.”

Huff and Swann were 3-4 with a double to lead Chesapeake. Noble was 2-4 with two RBIs.

On Wednesday, Ironton hosts South Point and Chesapeake visits Gallipolis.

Ironton 010 110 2 = 5 10 0

Chesapeake 101 100 0 = 3 10 2

Aley Carmon and Kenzie Cremeens. Brooke Webb and Kelsey Huff. W-Carmon (K-7, BB-1, ER-3). L-Webb (K-11, BB-1, ER-4). Hitting-Ironton: Haylee Stevens 1-4, Kylie Barcus 2-4, Kenzie Cremeens 2-4 rbi-2, Aley Carmon 2-4 2B, Ruthie Paholsky 3-3 rbi-2 2-2B; CHS: Kelsey Huff 3-4 2B, Ryleigh Swann 3-4 rbi 2B, Brooke Webb 1-4, Melanie Noble 2-4 rbi-2, Lyric Bair 1-3.