By JIM WALKER

Tribune Sports Editor

 

WHEELERSBURG — Ironton didn’t get any extra points for their effort, but they pleased their coach.

The Fighting Tigers and Wheelersburg Pirates locked up in a pitcher’s duel before losing 3-1 on Thursday.

“That’s the best we’ve competed and the best we’ve played defensively,” said Ironton coach Tobey Schreck. “We had some opportunities and we hit some shots. But they were a solid team.”

Steve Easterling limited the Pirates to six hits, struck out five and did not walk a batter. Wade Martin pitched a five-hitter for the Pirates as he struck out four and walked one.

Wheelersburg got two runs in the third inning when Brett Hood doubled and Austin Boyer hit a fly ball home run that just cleared the fence.

Ironton (9-8) answered with a run in the fourth on a double by Easterling and a single by Sean Lawless.

The Pirates (19-1) got an insurance run in the fifth on a double by Austin Boyer and a two-out single by Alex Shears.

Easterling was 2-2 at the plate while Cody Roberts and Korey Kellogg were 1-2 and Lawless 1-3.

Ironton hosts Green Friday and plays in the Gallipolis Wooden Bat Tournament on Saturday.

Ironton 000 100 0 = 1 5 1

Wheelersburg 002 010 x = 3 6 0

Steve Easterling and Maurice Phillips. Wade Martin and Austin Hall. W-Martin (K-4, BB-1). L-Easterling (K-5, BB-0). 2B-Ironton: Steve Easterling, Cody Roberts; Wheelersburg: Brett Hood, Austin Boyer. HR-Wheelersburg: Austin Boyer. Hitting-Ironton: Steve Easterling 2-2, Sean Lawless 1-3, Cody Roberts 1-2, Korey Kellogg 1-2; Wheelersburg: Brett Hood 1-3, Austin Boyer 2-3, Austin Hall 1-3, Alex Shears 1-3, Wade Martin 2-3.