FLATWOODS, Ky. — A little hard work can go a long way.

Some hard work in the off-season has helped improve the pitching of Jonathan Williams and he showed that improvement Tuesday.

Williams pitched a four-hitter as the Ironton Fighting Tigers beat the Russell Red Devils 8-4 Tuesday.

“Jonathan worked really hard in the off-season to make himself better and it has been noticeable,” said Ironton coach Tobey Schreck. “He threw a heck of a game. Whatever he’s been doing, I hope he keeps on doing it.”

Williams struck out nine, walked only one and hit a batter in going the distance. Only two of the runs were earned.

Williams also went 3-for-3 at the plate including a pair of doubles.

The game was scoreless until the top of the third when Ethan Preston led off with a solo home run.

Russell (2-7) got all four of its runs in the bottom of the inning on hits by Scotty Ross and Tanner Locey, a hit batsman and three Ironton errors.

Ironton got a run back in the fourth when Anthony Harper singled, stole second base and scored on a hit by Preston.

The Fighting Tigers scored four times in the fifth inning to take a 6-4 lead.

Keith Wetzel singled and scored on a double by Williams. Chris Warner followed with a run-scoring double of his own and Howie Lucas capped the rally with a two-run homer.

Ironton (5-1) added a pair of insurance runs in the sixth inning.

Preston, Darren Dalton and Josh Pancake all walked to load the bases. A wild pitch scored Preston and Williams’ second double scored another run.

The Fighting Tigers host Gallipolis Wednesday in a Southeastern Ohio Athletic League game.

Ironton 001 142 0 = 8 10 4

Russell 004 000 0 = 4 4 1

Jonathan Williams and Keith Wetzel. Brandon Boyd, Navarone Alleshouse (5), Jordan Roark (6) and Logan Dehoff. W-Williams (9-K, 1-BB, 1-HBP, 2-ER). L-Boyd. 2B-Ironton: Jonathan Williams, Chris Warner. HR-Ironton: Howie Lucas, Ethan Preston. Hitting-Ironton: Ethan Preston 2-3, Keith Wetzel 1-4, Josh Pancake 1-2, Jonathan Williams 3-3, Chris Warner 1-4, Howie Lucas 1-4, Anthony Harper 1-3; Russell: Scotty Ross 1-4, Navarone Alleshouse 1-3, Tanner Locey 1-3, Taylor Brewer 1-3.