Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

WELLSTON — Ironton’s offensive scoring started and ended with Ruthie Paholsky.
Paholsky had a home run in the first inning and drove in the game-winning runs in the seventh as the Lady Fighting Tigers rallied to beat the Wellston Lady Golden Rockets 7-6 on Tuesday.
“It was exciting to see Paholsky hit her first career home run. We have several girls take part in a weight program this winter and it has really paid off. Ruthie has been a force at the plate,” said Ironton coach Missy Fields.
Paholsky went 3-4 with four runs batted in.
In the pivotal seventh, Peighton Rowe led off with a double and Kenzie Cremeens reached on an error to put runners at second and third. An out later, Paholsky delivered a clutch two-run single.
Rowe retired the side in the bottom of the inning with the help of a double play to register her second win.
Ironton took a 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning on a three-run homer to centerfield by Paholsky after singles by Cremeens and Aley Carmon.
Wellston got a run in the bottom of the inning on a hit batsman and singles by Jasmyn Wilson, Brittany Downard and Molly Smith.
The Lady Rockets cut the deficit to 3-2 in the third on a hit and stolen base by Erica Scott and a single by Smith.
Ironton (3-0) scored twice in the fifth to lead 5-2.
Haylee Stevens doubled and move up on a passed ball and Mary Beth Burton hit a sacrifice fly.
With two outs, Carmon walked and scored when Paholsky reached on an error.
A single by Mya Bouske and doubles by Wilson and Scott got Wellston two runs in the bottom of the inning.
The Lady Rockets took a 6-5 lead with two runs in the sixth.
Kendra Coleman reached on an error, Kaylee Taynor singled and Ashlyne  Mullen had an RBI double. Wilson reached on a two-out error to score the go-ahead run.
But Ironton put together its clutch rally in the seventh for the win.
Burton worked four innings with six strikeouts, one walk, five hits and two runs — both earned. Rowe gave up four runs — three earned — with two strikeouts and one walk.
“I am encouraged by the efforts of my two freshmen pitchers who are throwing well this early in the season. We have been able to use both Peighton and Mary Beth interchangeably in all three wins so far,” said Fields.
“We are working on team chemistry. We have a lot of talent with this group. It’s our job to teach them to work as won. I am excited about the season.”
Ironton plays at Greenup, Ky., on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.
Ironton       300    020    2    =    7    9    2
Wellston    101    022    0    =    6    10    5
Mary Beth Burton, Peighton Rowe (5) and Kenzie Cremeens. Molly Smith and Spencer. W-Rowe (IP-3.0, H-5, R-4, ER-3, K-2, BB-1). Burton (IP-4.0, H-5, R-2, ER-2, K-6, BB-1). L-Smith (K-2, BB-3). Hitting-Ironton: Haylee Stevens 1-4 2B, Peighton Rowe 1-1 RBI 2B, Kenzie Cremeens 1-4, Aley Carmon 1-3 RBI, Ruth Paholsky 3-4 HR 4-RBI, Rylie Vaughn 1-1; Wellston: Jasmyn Wilson 2-4 RBI 2B, Erica Scott 2-3 RBI 2B, Brittany Downard 1-4, Molly Smith 2-3 2-RBI, Kaylee Taynor 1-3, Ashlyne Mullen 1-2 RBI 2B.