HUNTINGTON, W.

Saturday, April 07, 2001

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – The battery produced quite a charge. And the shortstop had some spark, too.

Katie Keller pitched a three-hitter, catcher Melissa Cielec went 3-for-4, and Maria Frazer drove in a pair of runs as the Ironton Lady Fighting Tigers topped the Huntington Highlanders 4-2 Friday.

Keller struck out three and walked just two in going the distance despite taking a line drive off her leg.

"Katie Keller pitched a smart game," Ironton coach Pete McCloud said. "After taking a shot off her thigh in the third inning, she shook it off and dominated the last four innings. She had a big knot on her leg. Anyone else would never have finished the game."

Huntington took a 1-0 lead in the first, but Ironton tied the game with a run in the second.

Jessica Ensor reached on a fielder’s choice, went around to third base on a pair of passed balls, and scored on a base hit by Frazer.

Ironton put together a 3-run rally in the sixth to take the lead for good.

Carly Isaac reached on a fielder’s choice, went to second and third on wild pitches, and scored on a single by Cielec.

A passed ball sent Cielec to second where she scored on another base hit by Frazer.

Laura Oaks was safe on a fielder’s choice, was sacrificed to second, and scored on a base hit by Keller.

McCloud praised the efforts of Isaac who was forced to return to the outfield from second base when Ensor injured her shoulder in the fifth inning.

"Due to our lack of depth with only 11 players, Carly had to go to centerfield and she played an outstanding game. But the kids had fun and they stepped up and played well," McCloud said.

Ironton, 4-5, hosts Green Monday and travels to Wheelersburg Tuesday.