By JIM WALKER

Tribune Sports Editor

 

Steve Easterling came close. Twice.

The Ironton junior pitcher came within two innings of a perfect game and within one out of a no-hitter. Instead he settled for a masterful one-hitter as the Fighting Tigers blanked the South Point Pointers 3-0 on Monday in the season opener.

“Easterling pitched a heck of a game for the first time out,” said Ironton coach Tobey Schreck. “He had great control and stayed ahead of the hitters.”

Easterling had a perfect game through five innings before walking the leadoff batter in the sixth. He racked up 13 strikeouts and had just the one walk.

Brandon Boggs allowed six hits in taking the loss. He struck out eight, walked two and hit a batter.

The game was scoreless until the fifth inning when Ironton got all its runs.

With one out, Trevor Easterling and Corey Kellogg singled and moved up on a passed ball. Trey Spencer was safe on an error as a run scored.

Steve Easterling singled to drive in Kellogg and Spencer scored on a passed ball.

Spencer was 2-3 as Ironton collected six hits.

Ironton visits Ashland, Ky., at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday.

South Point 000 000 0 = 0 1 1

Ironton 000 030 x = 3 6 0

Brandon Boggs and Alex Whitt. Steve Easterling and Maurice Phillips. W-Easterling (13-K, 1-BB,1-HBP). L-Boggs (8-K, 2-BB, 1-HBP). Hitting-SP: Alex Whitt 1-3; Ironton: Corey Kellogg 1-4, Trey Spencer 2-3, Steve Easterling 1-2, Derek Battise 1-2, Trevor Easterling 1-3.