LOUISA, Ky. - Mom is mad at the Ironton Fighting Tigers. They were wasting things Friday.

Ironton wasted a solid pitching performance by Adam Ferguson and three scoring opportunities as they fell 4-2 to the Huntington (W.Va.) Highlanders at the Lawrence County Classic.

Ferguson, in his first career start, pitched a five-hitter and allowed just two earned runs in going the distance. But eight runners left on base proved to be Ironton's downfall.

"Adam deserved a better fate. He pitched a nice game for us," Ironton coach Mark Lewis said. "He started a little slow, but he got stronger as the game went along.

"The big thing was our hitting. We didn't get the key hit when we needed it. We have to do a better job of putting the ball in play."

Huntington pitcher Andy Richards tossed a six-hitter that included a 14-strikeout performance.

The Highlanders went up 1-0 in the first inning when Aaron Yeager singled, went to second on an error, stole third, and came home on the throw when Mark Martin stole second.

The lead went to 2-0 in the second inning when Jesse Anderson walked, stole second, took third on an error and came home on a hit by Richards.

Ironton (1-2) got within 2-1 in the fifth inning.

Dennis Gagai singled, went to second on a wild pitch, and came home on a two-out single by Josh Adkins.

Huntington (5-4) scored twice in the top of the seventh inning for what proved to be the winning runs.

Brice Ferguson singled, Richards put down a sacrifice bunt, and Taylor Edwards tripled.

The relay to third base bounced to the fence allowing Edwards to score.

The Fighting Tigers got a run back in the bottom of the inning.

Josh Sands doubled, took third on a passed ball, and scored when Kevin Williams grounded out.

But Richards struck out the final batter to end the game and any Ironton comeback hopes.

Adkins was 2-3 and Sands 2-4 for Ironton.

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Andy Richards and Brice Ferguson. Adam Ferguson and Dustin Preston. W-Richards (14-K, 3-W, 2-ER). L-A. Ferguson (5-K, 3-W, 2-ER). 2B-Huntington: Brice Ferguson; Ironton: Josh Sands, Josh Adkins. Sac-Huntington: Andy Richards. SB-Huntington: Aaron Yeager, Mark Martin, Jesse Anderson, Ed Jackson, Taylor Edwards, Justin Sammons; Ironton: Nick Collins . Hitting-Huntington: Aaron Yeager 1-4, Taylor Edwards 1-3, Brice Ferguson 2-3, Andy Richards 1-2; Ironton: Josh Sands 2-4, Dennis Gagai 1-4, Kevin Williams 1-4, Nick Collins 1-4, Josh Adkins 2-3.