Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

The two biggest enemies of any team are walks and errors.

The Ironton Fighting Tigers understand why those two facets of the game don’t have many friends.

Ironton was guilty of five errors and five walks that led to three unearned runs in a 3-2 loss on Saturday to the Ashland Tomcats.

Cody Rawlins pitched a four-hitter with six strikeouts for Ironton, but the walks and errors were too much to overcome.

“Cody pitched a good game. The three runs scored by our opponent were all unearned. Our defense has been solid, but it let us down with five errors today,” said Ironton coach Larry Goodwin.

Ashland got two runs in the first inning with two outs.

Cody Bennett reached on an error and Cameron Marushi — who had three hits — doubled him home. Scott Busch followed with an RBI single.

The Tomcats got what proved to be the winning run in the fourth when Zach Greene and Cody Thompson both reached on errors.

Ironton’s offense finally came to life in the seventh inning.

Larry Morris singled and Kyle Kleinman reached on an error. Two outs later, Bryce Thomas was safe on an error as pinch-runner Travis Gayhart scored.

Dane Wilson then singled home Kleinman but the next batter was retired to end the game.

Ironton visits Gallipolis on Monday to complete a tied 5-5 game and regularly scheduled game.

Ashland 200 100 0 = 3 4 2

Ironton 000 000 2 = 2 5 5

Chaz Jackson, Scott Busch (4), Braxton Ratliff (7) and Cody Thompson. Cody Rawlins and Bryce Thomas. W-Jackson (IP-3, K-4, BB-3, H-2). Busch (IP-3.2, K-3, H-2, R-2). Save-Ratliff (IP-0.1, K-1). L-Rawlins (K-6, BB-5, ER-0). Hitting–Ashland: Cameron Marushi 3-4 rbi 2B, Scott Busch 1-3 rbi; Ironton: Dane Wilson 1-4, Jake Isaac 1-4, Garrett Carrico 1-2, Larry Morris 1-2, Bryce Thomas 1-3.