By JIM WALKER

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

To error is human, to forgive os divine. Except in baseball.

Errors in baseball are part of the game but players are usually kicking themselves whenever they make one. Ironton is kicking itself after a tough 6-5 loss to the Portsmouth Trojans on Wednesday that led to 3 unearned runs.

The loss drops Ironton to 10-6 overall and 7-4 in the Ohio Valley Conference, 2 losses behind Portsmouth and Fairland and thus making their hopes of a league title grow slim.

The Fighting Tigers took a 1-0 lead in the first inning on walks to Connor Kleinman, Jon Wylie, Chaydan Kerns and Braydon Baker.

The Fighting Tigers made it 2-0 in the third when Wylie walked, stole second, moved to third on a ground out and scored on a ground out by Kerns.

Portsmouth (12-4, 8-2) came right back with a run in the fourth on a single by Camron Williams, a walk to J.T. Williams and a one-out double by Zach Roth.

The Trojans took the lead for good with 3 runs in the fifth inning to lead 4-2.

Malachi Loper reached on an error, Nic Copley put down a sacrifice bunt, Jacob Roth beat out and infield hit and Camron Williams had an RBI single.

Roth stole second and scored on a hit by J.T. Williams. A passed ball moved the runners up and Trevin Brooks hit into a fielder’s choice to score the final run.

Portsmouth got 2 runs in the top of the seventh that proved to be the winning runs.

Jacob Roth and Camron Williams began the inning with singles. Trevin Brooks singled for a run and Zach Roth reached on an error as the second run scored.

Ironton rallied in the bottom of the seventh only to come up a run shy.

Ian Ginger and Connor Kleinman started the inning with hits and they moved up on a wild pitch. Wylie then singled both runners home.

Wylie stole second, went to third on a ground out and scored on a passed ball.

But Brooks came on in relief and retired the next 3 batters to end the game.

Dawson Philyaw started for Ironton and took the loss. He worked 4.1 innings, gave up 7 hits, 4 runs but only 2 earned, with one strikeout and one walk. Baker went the 2.2 innings giving up 2 runs but only one earned, 3 hits with 2 strikeouts and 2 walks.

Ironton had only 5 hits with Ginger 2-4, Wylie 1-2 with 2 RBI, and Connor and Tanner Kleinman each 1-3.

Portsmouth had 10 hits with Camron Williams 3-4, J.T. Williams 2-3 and Jacob Roth 2-4.

Deandre Berry went 6 innings for the win. He gave up all 5 runs — 4 earned — and all 5 hits. He struck out 4 and walked 7.

Portsmouth 000 130 2 = 6 10 0

Ironton     101 000 3 = 5 5 3

Deandre Berry, Trevin Brooks (7) and Trevin Brooks, Camron Williams (7). Dawson Philyaw, Braydon Baker (5) and Brady Moatz. W-Berry (IP-6.0, H-5, R-5, ER-4, K-4, BB-7, WP-1). Save–Brooks (IP-1.0, H-0, R-0, K-0, BB-0). L-Philyaw (IP-4.1, H-7, R-4, ER-2, K-1, BB-1). Baker (IP-2.2, H-3, R-2, ER-1, K-2, BB-2). Hitting-Portsmouth: Jacob Roth 2-4, Camron Williams 3-4 2-RBI, J.T. Williams 2-3, Trevin Brooks 1-4 2-RBI, Zach Roth 1-4 2B RBI, Colin Perry 1-3 RBI; Ironton: Ian Ginger 2-4, Connor Kleinman 1-3, Jon Wylie 1-2 2-RBI, Chaydan Kerns RBI, Braydon Baker RBI, Tanner Kleinman 1-3.