Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

The Ironton Fighting Tigers could have used a few more Trevor Easterlings.

Easterling turned in a strong overall performance at bat and pitching, but it wasn’t enough as Ironton was edged 4-3 by the Green Bobcats on Tuesday.

“Trevor Easterling played a great game tonight. He had three hits on offense and pitched six innings only giving up two runs,” said Ironton coach Larry Goodwin. “As a team we played well on defense and executed a few offensive plays.”

Easterling pitched the final six innings and took the loss. He gave up five hits, struck out six, walked three and only one run was earned.

Caleb Johnson got the win for Green with a complete game. He struck out nine, walked one, gave up eight hits and three earned runs.

“We played well on a cold night and hung in there and came out on top. Caleb Johnson pitched a heck of a ballgame,” said Green coach Dan McDavid.

Green got two runs in the top of the first inning off starter Cody Rawlins.

Trent Marcum and John Hallum singled, Johnson walked and Matt Howard and Trevor Carver had RBI singles.

Rawlins recorded strikeouts for all the outs in the first.

Ironton tied the game in the bottom of the inning when Derek Battise slammed a two-run homer after Easterling led off with a base hit.

Green added two more runs in the second.

Darnell walked and went to third on a throwing error. Hallum singled home Darnell.

Johnson singled and Howard walked to load the bases and Hallum scored on a balk.

Ironton cut the deficit to 4-3 in the fourth when Tanner Price singled, moved up on an error and scored on Dane Wilson’s squeeze bunt.

Easterling singled, stole second, went to third on a sacrifice by Luke Diamond to start the fifth only to be left stranded.

Hallum was 3-4 with an RBI, Johnson 2-3 and Carver 2-4 as they had nine hits as a team.

The game was played in cold, windy conditions. Goodwin said his players did an excellent job getting the field ready despite the weather and earlier rain.

“All our players contributed tonight in getting the field ready to play. They all came to the ball park and worked their tails off all the way until game time just to get this game in. We have a great group of kids,” said Goodwin.

Ironton’s game at Fairland on Thursday has been postponed due to the Dragons having to make up a conference game.

Green 220 000 0 = 4 9 2

Ironton 200 100 0 = 3 8 1

Caleb Johnson and Trevor Carver. Cody Rawlins, Trevor Easterling (2) and Hunter Weber. W-Johnson (K-9, BB-1, ER-3). L-Easterling (K-6, BB-3, R-2, ER-1, H-5). Rawling IP-1, K-3, BB-1, R-2, ER-2, H-4. Hitting-Green: Trent Marcum 1-4, John Hallum 3-4 rbi, Caleb Johnson 2-3, Matt Howard 1-1 rbi, Trevor Carver 2-4 rbi; Ironton: Trevor Easterling 3-4, Derek Battise 1-2 rbi-1, Hunter Weber 1-3, Lucas Campbell 1-3, Tanner Price 1-3, Dane Wilson 1-2 rbi. 2B-Green: Caleb Johnson. HR-Ironton: Derek Battise. Sac-Ironton: Luke Diamond, Dane Wilson. SB-Ironton: Trevor Easterling, Dane Wilson.