By JIM WALKER

Tribune Sports Editor

 

FRANKLIN FURNACE — Pitching and defense are the name of the game, and that name belonged to the Ironton Lady Fighting Tigers on Tuesday.

Erin Wetzel threw a four-hitter and Ironton’s defense had just one error in a 3-1 win over the Green Lady Bobcats.

Wetzel struck out four and walked just one in going the distance. Jenna Crawford pitched well in defeat as she gave up just four hits, fanned four and walked three.

“Wetzel is going a good job of throwing strikes and the defense is making the plays behind her,” said Ironton coach Missy Fields.

“I am proud of how they are meshing together as a team. We need to be patient at the plate and be more consistent hitting the ball. Hopefully we continue to do better each game and get ready for the tournament.”

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

Karlee McMackin ripped a triple to start the rally and scored on a hit by Wetzel. Emily Davis was hit by a pitch and the runners moved up on a passed ball.

Saige Fields hit a sacrifice fly to score courtesy runner Jordan Leach and Laken White singled home Davis.

Green got its run in the seventh inning when Kayla McCallister singled, pinch-runner Rayna Boggs moved up on a fielder’s choice and scored on Emma Salisbury’s base hit.

“It was a pretty good ball game. We played better. We played excellent through four innings defensively,” said Green coach Dale Royse.

Salisbury was 2-3 for Green.

Ironton 000 030 0 = 3 4 1

Green 000 000 1 = 1 4 3

Erin Wetzel and Saige Fields. Jenna Crawford and Erin Imes. W-Wetzel (K-4, BB-1). L-Crawford (K-4, BB-3). 2B-Green: Micah Lewis. 3B-Ironton: Karlee McMackin. Hitting-Ironton: Emily Davis 1-2, Karlee McMackin 1-3, Erin Wetzel 1-3, Laken White 1-4; Green: Micah Lewis 1-3, Kayla McCallister 1-3, Emma Salisbury 2-3.