By JIM WALKER

Tribune Sports Editor

 

The Ironton Fighting Tigers’ offense was like a time bomb on Friday. It kept ticking until it finally exploded.

Ironton turned an early 3-1 deficit into a 12-3 win over the Green Bobcats behind a 14-hit attack.

“We hit the ball well the whole game. We ran our way out of some scoring opportunities early, but we kept hitting the ball and pushed some runs across,” said Ironton coach Tobey Schreck.

Steve Easterling went 3-5 with three runs batted in to lead the offense. Sean Lawless and Brandon Leach were 2-3 with an RBI while Nick Culbertson and Korey Kellogg were 2-4.

Culbertson also had an RBI for Ironton (10-8).

Derek Battise was the beneficiary of the offense as he pitched a four-hitter, struck out nine and walked just two.

“Derek threw the ball well. He just kept throwing strikes and we played pretty good defense,” said Schreck.

Chris Applegate was 1-3 with two RBI and Matt Howard 1-2 for Green (16-6).

Ironton got a run in the first inning when Trevor Easterling walked, Lawless singled and Leach reached on an error.

Green took a 3-1 lead in the top of the third.

Howard was hit by a pitch, Caleb Johnson walked, Mike Avery singled to load the bases and Applegate singled in a pair. Rob Applegate was safe on an error as a run scored.

Ironton tied the game in the fourth on singles by Culbertson, Kellogg and the Easterling brothers.

The Fighting Tigers then erupted for seven runs in the fifth.

Cody Roberts singled, Battise walked and Leach and Culbertson had RBI singles. Maurice Phillips singled and Steve Easterling doubled in a pair.

Trevor Easterlng walked and Lawless singled in a run. Another run scored on a wild pitch.

Ironton added two insurance runs in the sixth. Leach singled, Culbertson reached on an error, Jacob Friend hit into a fielder’s choice as a run scored and Steve Easterling singled for a run.

Green 003 000 0 = 3 4 5

Ironton 100 272 x = 12 14 2

Cody Bruce and Matt Howard. Derek Battise and Maurice Phillips. W-Battise (K-9, BB-3, HBP-1). L-Bruce (K-4, BB-5, HBP-1). 2B-Ironton: Steve Easterling. Hitting-Green: Mike Avery 1-4 rbi, Chris Applegate 1-3 2-rbi, Rob Applegate 1-4, Matt Howard 1-2; Ironton: Steve Easterling 3-5 3-rbi, Trevor Easterling 1-2 2-rbi, Sean Lawless 2-3 rbi, Cody Roberts 1-4, Brandon Leach 2-3 rbi, Nick Culbertson 2-4 rbi, Korey Kellogg 2-4, Maurice Phillips 1-3 rbi.