Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

CHESAPEAKE — Being “in the zone” to Mary Beth Burton means “being in the circle.”
Burton pitched a solid five-hitter on Wednesday as the Ironton Lady Fighting Tigers beat the Chesapeake Lady Panthers 6-3 in an Ohio Valley Conference game.
“Burton had a great game in the circle tonight. She had good control and was hitting her spots,” said Ironton coach Missy Fields.
“We hit better tonight. The middle of the batting order came through for us with Sands, Stevens and Schreck. We were a little sloppy on defense tonight. We have to play better behind our pitchers, day in and day out.”
Burton struck out 12, walked three in going the distance.
Ironton (4-1, 2-0) had 10 hits with Demi Sands, Haylee Stevens and Riley Schreck all going 2-4.
Ryleigh Swann was 2-3 for Chesapeake. Pitcher Erika Bowman struck out six, walked two and only four runs were earned.
Ironton got a run in the first on a single by Taiya Hamlet and Keegan Moore’s double.
The Lady Tigers went up 2-0 in the third when Kiandra Martin singled, Burton put down a sacrifice and Peighton Rowe followed with an RBI single.
Ironton scored two runs in the fourth to lead 4-0.
Sands singled and moved up on a passed ball. After Schreck lined out, Stevens singled and an outfield error allowed the run to score and sent Stevens to third. Kylee Richendollar was safe on an error as Stevens scored.
Ironton got a run in the fifth when Sands reached on an error, Schreck singled and Stevens had an RBI double.
The Lady Tigers final run scored in the top of the seventh.
Sands and Schreck singled and the runners moved up on a passed ball. Richendollar then hit a sacrifice fly to score Sands.
Chesapeake got all three of its runs in the bottom of the seventh.
Zowie Rollins and Ferrell singled and both moved up on an error. An illegal pitch scored the Rollins.
Heffner walked and Katy Spears and Swann had RBI singles.
Ironton 101 210 1 = 6 10 3
Chesapeake 000 000 3 = 3 5 4
Mary Beth Burton and Demi Sands. Ericka Bowman and Katy Spears. W-Burton (K-12, BB-3, ER-3). L-Bowman (K-6, BB-2, ER-4). Hitting-Ironton: Peighton Rowe 1-3 rbi, Taiya Hamlet 1-3, Keegan Moore 1-4 2B rbi, Demi Sands 2-4, Riley Schreck 2-4, Haylee Stevens 2-4 2B 2-rbi, Kylee Richendollar 2-rbi, Kiandra Martin 1-3; Chesy: Katy Spears 1-4, Ryleigh Swann 2-3 rbi, Zowie Rollins 1-3, Ferrell 1-3.