Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

GALLIPOLIS — Ironton got more than enough hits and scored some runs, but it still wasn’t enough.
Ironton banged out 14 hits but fell 12-7 in a slugfest to the Gallipolis Blue Devils in an Ohio Valley Conference game on Thursday.
Ironton was led by Kyle Kleinman who went 3-4 with two doubles and three runs batted in. Gage Salyers was 3-4 with two doubles and an RBI, Ethan Duncan went 3-3 with an RBI and Larry Morris was 2-4 with a double and an RBI.
John Stout was 2-3 with three RBI, Tanner Allen 2-3 with an RBI and Garrett McGuire was 2-3 with a double and an RBI as Gallipolis had 10 hits.
Ironton (9-3-1, 6-2-1) took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first when Brycen Thomas reached on an error, stole second and scored on a double by Salyers.
But Gallipolis (8-5, 5-3) scored six runs in the bottom of the inning on five singles and three walks.
The Blue Devils got a run in the second on a double by Garrett McGuire and a wild pitch.
Ironton cut the deficit to 7-4 in the top of the third.
With two outs, Salyers and Kleinman doubled, Duncan walked and Morris and Tanner Bowles had RBI singles.
Gallipolis got a run in the bottom of the inning and Ironton answered with two runs in the fourth.
Thomas walked, stole second and Salyers had an RBI single. Salyers moved up on the throw home and scored on a hit by Duncan.
Gallipolis came back with three runs in the fifth on four walks and two singles.
Ironton got a run in the top of the sixth when Dane Wilson singled, Salyers hit into a fielder’s choice but stole second and scored after hits by Kleinman and Duncan.
Gallipolis got a run in the bottom of the inning on two errors.
On Friday, Ironton is at Coal Grove and Gallipolis visits Fairland.
Ironton       103    201    =    7    14    1
Gallipolis    611    031    =    12    10    2
Garrett Carrico, Tanner Bowles (2), Ethan Duncan (3), Gage Salyers (5) and Brycen Thomas. Bailey Walker, Brody Thomas (4) and Garrett McGuire. W-Thomas (IP-3.0, H-7, R-2, ER_2, K-3, BB-0). Walker (IP-3.0, H-7, R-5, ER-4, K-4, BB-3). L-Carrico (IP-1.0, H-5, R-6, ER-6, K-2, BB-3). Bowles (IP-1.2, H-2, R-2, ER-2, K-1, BB-2). Duncan (IP-2.0, H-2, R-3, ER-3, K-2, BB-4). Salyers (IP-1.0, H-1, R-1, ER-0, BB-1). Hititng-Ironton: Garrett Carrico 1-4, Dane Wilson 1-4, Gage Salyers 3-4 2-2B RBI, Kyle Kleinman 3-4 2-2B 3-RBI, Ethan Duncan 3-3 RBI, Larry Morris 2-4 2B RBI, Tanner Bowles 1-3 RBI; Gallia: John Stout 2-3 3-RBI, Cole Davis 1-2 RBI, Garrett McGuire 2-3 2B RBI, Jeremy Brumfield 1-3 RBI, Bailey Walker 1-1 RBI, Tanner Allen 2-3 RBI.