Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

Derek Battise pitched a great game, but the Chesapeake Panthers used a double team to get the win.

Blake Lester and Austin Stone combined to pitch a shutout as the Panthers squeaked past the Ironton Fighting Tigers 1-0 on Monday.

Battise allowed just three hits, struck out eight and did not walk a batter in take the tough-luck defeat.

Lester went three innings and Stone finished up for the win. Stone struck out three, walked two, hit a batted and gave up three hits. Lester struck out three, walked one and gave up one hit in three innings of work.

“Derek pitched a great game. He did not give up a walk and he was able to get the first strike on many of the hitters which helped keep the opponent guessing at the plate,” said Ironton coach Larry Goodwin. “He was able to get the first batter out in almost every inning.

“Defensively we played errorless baseball. We just need to start hitting the ball with more authority, especially with runners on base.”

The Panthers scored the lone run of the game in the second inning when they got two of their three hits.

Joe Bias singled, stole second, went to third on a ground out and scored on a hit by Jacob Henson.

Ironton threatened in the first on a two-out double by Luke Diamond and a walk to Battise, but they were both left stranded.

In the fourth, Battise singled and Hunter Klaiber walked but Stone was able to work out of the jam.

Ironton had runners at second base two other occasions and failed to capitalize.

Chesapeake 010 000 0 = 1 3 1

Ironton 000 000 0 = 0 4 0

Blake Lester, Austin Stone (4) and Blake Ashworth. Derek Battise and Hunter Weber. W-Stone (IP-4, H-3, K-3, BB-2 HBP-1). Lester IP-3, H-1, K-3, BB-1. L-Battise (H-3, K-8, BB-0, ER-1). Hitting-Chesapeake: Joe Bias 2-3, Jacob Henson 1-3 rbi; Ironton: Luke Kelly 1-3, Luke Diamond 1-3, Derek Battise 1-1, Dane Wilson 1-3. 2B-Chesapeake: Joe Bias; Ironton: Luke Diamond. LOB: Chesapeake 2, Ironton 7.