Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

CHILLICOTHE — Steven Easterling gave up what he took.

Easterling pitched a four-hitter and went 4-for-4 at the plate as the Ironton Fighting Tigers beat the Chillicothe Cavaliers 7-2 on Thursday.

Easterling struck out 15 but walked eight in going the distance for the Fighting Tigers (4-4).

“Steven pitched a good game. He battled and pitched himself out of several jams,” said Ironton coach Larry Goodwin.

Besides Easterling, Aaron Stephens went 2-4, Korey Kellogg 2-2 and Luke Diamond 2-4 as Ironton banged out 12 hits. Mo Phillips drilled a home run.

“We were more patient at the plate and our hitters were able to get the count in their favor and thus got some good pitches to hit with runners in scoring position,” said Goodwin.

Ironton scored runs in the first couple of innings before the Cavaliers got a run in the fifth.

Ironton answered with two runs in the sixth and three more in the seventh to put the game away.

“To win, we must be consistent in executing the so-called little things in baseball. We have been playing much smarter baseball compared to how we played our first few games of the season,” said Goodwin.

Ironton hosts St. Joseph on Friday.

Ironton 110 002 3 = 7 12 2

Chillicothe 000 010 1 = 2 4 2

Steven Easterling and Mo Phillips. Rinehart and Mischal. W-Easterling (K-15, BB-8). L-Rinehart (IP-5, H-6, K-2, BB-2, HBP-1). 2B-Ironton: Steven Easterling, Sean Lawless, Aaron Stephens, Korey Kellogg. HR-Ironton: Phillips. Hitting-Ironton: Steven Easterling 4-4, Sean Lawless 1-3, Luke Diamond 2-4, Mo Phillips 1-4, Aaron Stephens 2-4, Korey Kellogg 2-2; Chillicothe: Walter Moss 2-3, Nolan Taylor 1-3, Jack Busch 1-3.