By JIM WALKER

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

There are some things that don’t change with the Ironton Fighting Tigers’ baseball team.

Ironton opened its season once again with the Mike Burcham Wood Bat Classic on Saturday and played 2 good teams.

Ironton split the 2 games as they beat the Lucasville Valley Indians 4-3 only to lose 2-0 to the West Jefferson Roughriders.

“The pitchers threw pretty well for the first game and we hit the ball hard a few times, but we have to improve and get better,” said Ironton coach Travis Wylie. “We had several guys with their first varsity action and they proved they belong. I love the Classic because it’s a great way to start the season and to honor Coach Burcham.”

In the first game, Ironton scored in the bottom of the seventh to get the win.

Ian Ginger reached on an error to start the bottom of the seventh and Brady Moatz was safe on an error to put runners on the corners.

A ground out to the pitcher put runners and second and third and Jason Maddy singled to right field as Ginger scored the winning run.

Valley tied the game in the top of the seventh with 2 outs.

Tate Queen singled and Carson Powell reached on an error. Gabe McNeil then singled him Queen to make it 3-all.

The Indians took a 1-0 lead in the first inning with an unearned run.

Jaekyn Ridout was safe on an error, stole second and went to third on a ground out. After a strikeout,  Ridout scored when Queen got caught in a rundown trying to steal second base.

Ironton took a 2-1 lead in the third inning.

Braydon Baker walked, Tanner Kleinman singled with one out and Tommy Sheridan singled to load the bases. Tyler Roach grounded out as a run scored and a throwing error with Roach stealing second allowed Kleinman to score.

The Fighting Tigers went up 3-1 in the fifth when Connor Kleinman singled, Ginger reached on an error and Connor Kleinman singled.

Valley got within 3-2 in the sixth as Powell singled, McNeil got a bunt single, Nolan Barnett hit into a force out as the run scored.

Chaydan Kerns pitched 6 strong innings for Ironton as he gave up one earned run, struck out 5 and walked one. Baker pitched the seventh and got the win as he gave up an unearned run, allowed 2 hits, struck out 2 and walked one.

Connor Kleinman ws 3-4 with a double to lead Ironton’s 10-hit attack. Tanner Kleinman was 2-3.

The second game was another pitching duel as the Roughriders got the shutout win.

West Jefferson took a 1-0 lead in the first inning on a one-out single by Brett Bogenrife, a wild pitch, a stolen base and a throwing error.

The Roughriders added an insurance run in the fourth on a double by Nate Godenez, a walk to Carson Pearson, and an RBI single by Owen Anderson.

“We played two quality opponents and played them both tough,” said Wylie. “West Jeff had a nice lefty who kept us off-balance. It was a good experience to see a pitcher like that.”

Ian Ginger and Tommy Sheridan combined to limit West Jefferson to 6 hits. Ginger worked 4 innings, gave up 5 hits, 2 earned run with 4 strikeouts and 5 walks. Sheridan pitched the final 3 innings and gave up just one hit, no runs, struck out 6 and walked one.

Moatz was 2-3, Ginger and Sheridan 1-2 and Kerns 1-4 to account for Ironton’s offense.

Lucasville 100 001 1 = 3 8 4

Ironton     020 010 1 = 4 10 5

Jaekyn Ridout, Gabe McNeil (6) and Jace Copley. Chaydan Kerns, Braydon Baker (7) and Brady Moatz. W-Baker (IP-1.0, H-2, R-1, ER-0, K-2, BB-1). Kerns (IP-6.0, H-6, R-2, ER-1, K-5, BB-1, HBP-2). L-McNeil (IP-1.1, H-3, R-1, ER-0, K-2, BB-0). Ridout (IP-5.0, H-7, R-3, ER-1, K-8, BB-1). Hitting-Lucasville Valley: Jace Copley 1-4, Tate Queen 1-3, Carson Powell 2-4, Gabe McNeil 2-3 RBI, Nolan Barnett 1-3 RBI, Spang 1-2; Ironton: Connor Kleinman 3-4 2B, Ian Ginger 1-4, Brady Moatz 1-4, Jason Maddy 1-4 RBI, Tanner Kleinman 2-3, Tommy Sheridan 1-3.

—————

W. Jefferson 100 100 0 = 2 6 2

Ironton     000 000 0 = 0 5 2

Nate Godenez, Zack Oyster (6) and Brett Bogenrife. Ian Ginger, Tommy Sheridan (5) and Brady Moatz. W-Godenez (IP-5.1, H-5, R-0, K-4, BB-1). Save-Oyster (IP-1.2, H-0, R-0, K-1, BB-0). L-Ginger (IP-4.0, H-5, R-2, ER-2, K-4, BB-5). Sheridan (IP-3.0, H-1, R-0, K-6, BB-1). Hitting-West Jefferson: Brett Bogenrife 2-4, Nate Godenez 1-1 2B, Owen Anderson 2-3 RBI; Ironton: Chaydan Kerns 1-4, Ian Ginger 1-2, Brady Moatz 2-3, Tommy Sheridan 1-2.