PORTSMOUTH - It was just "2" much for the Ironton Fighting Tigers.

The Ashland Tomcats scored two runs in four different innings as they beat the Fighting Tigers 8-2 Monday in the OKAC Challenge.

Ashland pitcher Brandon Williams proved "too" strong as he pitched a three-hitter. Williams struck out 12 and walked one in going the distance.

"Their pitcher was

just better than us and they hit the ball," Ironton coach Mark Lewis said.

Josh Sands started and took the loss as he was roughed up for six runs on eight hits. Josh Adkins went 3.1 innings, striking three and walking three. He allowed two unearned runs.

"Adkins pitched pretty well. It was nice to see him have a good outing," Lewis said.

Ironton (9-8) took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning on a walk to Josh Adkins and doubles by Josh Sands and Patrick Kouns.

Ashland tied the game in the bottom of the inning as Mike Irwin singled and Adam Clark and Matt Johnson doubled.

The Tomcats (13-6) went ahead in the second inning with two more runs. Williams singled, Irwin doubled and Clark singled.

Three walks and a single by Irwin pushed Ashland's lead to 6-2 in the third inning.

The final pair of runs came home in the sixth when Chad Cook tripled andrew Hancock reached on an error and Johnny Whitmore drove them home with a two-out single.

"You never like to lose, but that was a good game to prepare us for the tournament," Lewis said. "There are a lot of good pitchers and teams out there in the tournament."

The Fighting Tigers play at Rock Hill Tuesday.

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Josh Sands, Josh Adkins (3) and Adam Ferguson. Brandon Williams and Ben Robinette. W-Williams (12-K, 1-W, 2-ER). L-Sands (2-K, 3-W, 6-ER, 8-H). Adkins 2-K, 1-W, 4-H, 0-ER. 2B-Ironton: Josh Sands, Patrick Kouns; Ashland: Andy Clark, Matt Johnson, Mike Irwin. 3B-Ashland: Chad Cook. SB-Ironton: Josh Adkins 2; Ashland: Andrew Hancock. Sac-Ashland: Clay Feddy. Hitting-Ironton: Josh Adkins 1-2, Josh Sands 1-3 (rbi), Patrick Kouns 1-3 (rbi); Ashland: Mike Irwin 3-4 (2 rbi), Adam Clark 2-4 (2 rbi), Chad Cook 1-4, Andrew Hancock 1-4, Matt Johnson 1-4 ( 2 rbi), John Hall 1-3, Johnny Whitt 1-2, Brandon Williams 2-4.