Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

CHESAPEAKE — Garrett Carrico could afford to wait for his teammates’ bats to get going. He wasn’t letting Chesapeake’s bats get into the swing of things.
Carrico pitched a five-hitter as the Ironton Fighting Tigers took a 7-2 over the Chesapeake Panthers in an Ohio Valley Conference game on Monday.
Carrico struck out seven and walked two in going the distance.
“The kids played well and Carrico pitched really well,” said Ironton coach Red Burcham.
“After the first couple of innings we settled down and played well. The defense was great.”
Ironton (10-4-1, 7-3-1) did not make an error.
Chesapeake (6-9, 3-7) took a 1-0  lead in the first when Casey McComas singled, stole second and scored on a hit by Dalton Nida.
The Fighting Tigers tied the game in the fourth when Kyle Kleinman singled, stole second and scored on a double by Larry Morris.
Ironton finally came to life with four runs in the fifth.
Jacob Koerper reached on an error and Carrico and Brycen Thomas walked to load the bases and Dane Wilson had a two-run single.
Gage Salyers walked and Kleinman hit a sacrifice fly.
Ironton added two insurance runs in the seventh.
Kleinman singled, Koerper was hit by a pitch and Drake Williams delivered a two-run double.
The Panthers final run came in the bottom of the seventh when Tyler Eddy singled, Wes Malavenda hit into a force play and McComas tripled.
Kleinman was 2-2 and Williams 2-3 for Ironton. McComas was 2-3 for the Panthers.
On Wednesday, Ironton visits South Point and Chesapeake hosts Gallipolis.
Ironton       000    140    2    =    7    7    0
Chesapeake    100    000    1    =    2    5    1
Garrett Carrico and Brycen Thomas. Bryce Depriest, Jamey Mills (5) and Dalton Nida. W-Carrico (K-7, BB-2). L-Depriest. Hitting-Ironton: Dane Wilson 1-3, Kyle Kleinman 2-2, Larry Morris 1-3 2B, Jacob Koerper 1-3, Drake Williams 2-3 2B; Chesy: Casey McComas 2-3 3B, Dalton Nida 1-3, Bretton Martin 1-2, Tyler Eddy 1-3.