Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

The Coal Grove Lady Hornets did all their damage in one inning. Fortunately, Kasey Murphy did all the pitching for seven innings.
Murphy pitched a four-hitter as the Lady Hornets held on for a 3-2 win over the Ironton Lady Fighting Tigers in Ohio Valley Conference on Wednesday.
Murphy pitched a four-hitter to get the win. She struck out four and walked two. Both runs were earned.
“I was pleased and proud of our effort tonight against a solid Coal Grove team,” said Ironton coach Missy Fields.
“We didn’t get the win but improved in every aspect from Monday’s game with them. We played great defense. It was our first game of the year with no errors.”
Ironton took a 1-0 lead in the second inning on a one-out solo home run by Taiya Hamlet.
Coal Grove came back and scored all three of its runs in the third inning.
Addi Dillow singled and Mckenzie Malone put down a sacrifice bunt. Delaney Napier singled and Lauren Meyer doubled in a run.
Gracie Riley grounded out as a run scored and Murphy doubled to drive in what proved to be the winning run.
Ironton (4-4, 1-3) got a leadoff solo home run by Mary Beth Burton in the sixth inning to get within 3-2.
The Lady Tigers threatened in the bottom of the seventh when Haylee Stevens singled with one out and moved to second on a wild pitch.
But Murphy got a strikeout and a groundout to end the threat and the game.
Peighton Rowe went three innings and got the loss. She struck out one, walked one and gave up five hits. All three runs were earned.
Burton worked the final four innings striking out five with no walks and just three hits.
“Rowe and Burton were solid in the circle,” said Fields.
“Hamlet and Burton had nice dingers tonight. We will keep getting better each game with the want to they showed tonight.”
Meyer and Murphy both went 2-4 with a double. Dillow was 2-3.
Ironton visits Rock Hill on Thursday and Coal Grove hosts South Point on Friday
Coal Grove    003    000    0    =    3    8    0
Ironton       010    001    0    =    2    4    0
Kasey Murphy and Lauren Crum. Peighton Rowe, Mary Beth Burton (4) and Kenzie Cremeens. W-Murphy (K-4, BB-2, ER-2). L-Rowe (IP-3.0, H-5, R-3, ER-3, K-1, BB-1). Burton (IP-4.0, H-3, K-5, BB-0). Hitting-CG: Lauren Meyer 2-4 2B rbi, Gracie Riley rbi, Kasey Murphy 2-4 2B rbi, Jaidyn Griffith 1-3, Addi Dillow 2-3, Delaney Napier 1-3; Ironton: Mary Beth Burton 1-3 HR rbi, Kenzie Cremeens 1-3, Taiya Hamlet 1-2 HR rbi, Haylee Stevens 1-3.