By JIM WALKER

Tribune Sports Editor

WESTWOOD, Ky. — Not only were the Ironton Lady Fighting Tigers a hit, Karlie Collins was a big hit.

Ironton collected 10 hits including a home run by Collins as they beat the Fairview Lady Eagles 9-2 on Thursday.

“The girls really hit the ball well tonight and caused some errors for Fairview,” said Ironton coach Missy Fields. “We were able to capitalize on those errors in the first inning to jump out to a big lead.”

Ironton took a commanding 7-0 lead in the first inning. Collins hit a solo home run in the fourth inning and Ironton added a run in the sixth when Emily Davis, Karlee McMackin and Laken White all singled.

McMackin went 2-3 while Davis and Collins were 2-4. Collins also got the win as she allowed just four hits, struck out five and did not walk a batter.

The two teams met again on Friday in the first round of the Boyd County Lady Lions’ Tournament.

The games were on a 90-minute time limit so the teams played only four innings.

Fairview got a run in the second but Ironton answered with five runs in the third.

Ironton used five walks, two errors and two passed balls to score their runs. Andi Kratzenberg and Collins had singles in the uprising.

“The girls are playing good ball and much better as a team. Hopefully, we will continue to get better as the tournament draws near,” said Fields.

Kratzenberg went 2-2 with Collins and Amy McSorley each getting a hit.

Thursday’s Game

Ironton 700 101 0 = 9 10 2

Fairview 000 000 2 = 2 4 6

Karlie Collins and Saige Fields. Thompson and Kirk. W-Collins (K-5, BB-0). L-Thompson (K-4, BB-2, HBP-2). 2B-Ironton: Amy McSorley; Fairview: Thompson. HR-Ironton: Karlie Collins. Hitting-Ironton: Emily Davis 2-4, Andi Kratzenberg 1-5, Karlie Collins 2-4, Karlee McMackin 2-3, Laken White 1-2, Amy McSorley 1-4, Brianna Foster 1-4; Fairview: Thompson 2-4, Dunn 2-3.

Friday’s Game

Lady Lions Tournament

Ironton 005 3 = 8 4 0

Fairview 010 0 = 1 3 3

Karlie Collins and Saige Fields. Qualls and Kirk. W-Collins (K-3, BB-3). L-Qualls (K-4, BB-7). Hitting-Ironton: Andi Kratzenberg 2-2, Karlie Collins 1-3, Amy McSorley 1-2; Fairview: Humphrey 1-2, Thompson 1-2, Kirk 1-2.