Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

It was quite a battle that led to quite a ride.
The Ironton Junior League All-Stars lost their first game of the state tournament on Saturday but battled their way back into the semifinals of the loser’s bracket.
Ironton battled yet again in the semifinal game before falling 11-9 to Mason on Tuesday.
After a win over Grand Valley on Sunday, Ironton rolled past Enon 18-2 in five innings on Monday and advance to play Mason.
Ironton trailed Mason 11-5 heading into the top of the seventh only to rally for four runs. But it wasn’t enough as they fell just short.
In the win over Enon, Michael Mahlmeister pitched a two-hitter over five innings and Rock White drilled a grand slam home run to spark the offense. Caleb Freeman was 1-for-2 while Reid Carrico and Jackson Rowe each went 1-for-3.
Carrico was saddled with the tough-luck loss even though Mason had just six hits.
Carrico went 2-for-4 at the plate with a double.
Rowe was 2-3, Will York and White were 1-for-2 and Freeman 1-for-3.
North Canton beat Olentangy in the winner’s bracket semifinal game by forfeit, 7-0.
The forfeit sent Mason to the championship series against North Canton at 5 p.m. Thursday. North Canton needs just one win to take the state title while Mason needs a win at 5 p.m. to force a final game at 7:30.
Monday’s Games
Ironton           641    16    =    18    5    4
Enon              010    03    =    4    2    3
W-M. Mahlmeister. L-K. Parsons. Hitting-Ironton: Reid Carrico 1-3, Jackson Rowe 1-3, Rocky White 1-1 GS, Will York 1-2, Caleb Freeman 1-2.; Enon: S. Rorrer 1-1, L. Kaltenbach 1-3.
——
Mason    212    005    3    =    13    13    3
Poland    000    022    1    =    5    6    3
W-J. Oderer, L-N. Haynes. Hitting-Mason: D. Michare 3-5, O. McClain 2-5, E. Faust 2-4, J. Hammond 1-3, E. Turner 2-4, J. Metzger 1-1, W. Fox 1-1. E. Fletcher 1-5 2B; Poland: A. Perry 1-2, C. Colosimo 1-3, N. Williams 2-3, A. Patellis 1-3, N. Hayes 1-1.
——
Tuesday’s Games
Ironton    211    001    4    =    9    7    2
Mason    220    250    x    =    11    6    3
W-J. Williams. L-Reid Carrico. Hitting-Ironton: Reid Carrico 2-4 2B, Jackson Rowe 2-3, Rocky White 1-2, Caleb Freeman 1-3, Will York 1-2; Mason: E. Faust 2-3, J. Hammond 1-3, E. Turner 1-3, E. Fletcher 1-2, A. Burkardt 1-4.
——
N. Canton    111    111    1    =    7    0    0
Olentangy    000    000    0    =    0    0    0
Forfeit.