Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

Power up.
No, this isn’t an episode of the Power Rangers. This is about the power Tigers, in particular the Ironton Lady Fighting Tigers’ Mary Beth Burton and Kiandra Martin who both homered in a 9-3 win over the Portsmouth Lady Trojans on Thursday in an Ohio Valley Conference game.
Burton went 3-4 with a double, a home run and three runs batted in. Martin was 2-3 with a home run and a RBI.
Ironton had 12 hits as Riley Schreck went 3-3 with an RBI and Kenzie Cremeens 2-4 and an RBI.
“The girls have really been hitting the ball well this week,” said Ironton coach Missy Fields. “I knew as soon as Martin and Burton connected on those shots that they were outta there.”
Burton also went the distance to get the win. She gave up four hits, struck out seven, walked three and two of the runs were earned.
Portsmouth took a 1-0 lead in the first with the aid of an error.
Ironton came back to tie the game in the second on Martin’s solo home run.
The Lady Tigers took a 2-1 lead in the third when Burton double, Schreck walked and Cremeens hit into a fielder’s choice.
Ironton created some breathing room with five runs in the fourth.
Martin was hit by a pitch, Sophie Caines walked and Burton cranked a three-run homer.
Schreck and Cremeens followed with base hits, Demi Sands was safe on a fielder’s choice and Peighton Rowe reached on an error as two runs scored.
Portsmouth got two runs in the top of the fifth but Ironton got a run back in the bottom of the frame.
Rylie Vaughn doubled, Caines hit into a fielder’s choice and Burton singled.
The Lady Tigers capped the scoring in the sixth when Rowe doubled and Martin singled.
Ironton hosts South Point on Friday.
Portsmouth 100 020 0 = 3 4 1
Ironton 011 511 x = 9 12 3
Kylee Montgomery, LeighEra Tackett (4) and Jacqueline Bautista. Mary Beth Burton and Kenzie Cremeens. W-Burton (K-7, BB-3, ER-2). L-Montgomery (IP-3.1, H-6, R-6, ER-5, K-1, BB-3). Hitting-PHS: Cassie Potts 1-2, Jacqueline Bautista 2-3 HR 3-rbi, Morgan Grashel 1-3; Ironton: Mary Beth Burton 3-4 2B HR 3-rbi, Riley Schreck 3-3 rbi, Kenzie Cremeens 2-4 rbi, Peighton Rowe 1-3 2B, Kiandra Martin 2-3 HR 2-rbi, Rylie Vaughn 1-4 2B.