Missed chances spoil opening day for Ironton

IRONTON — When opportunity knocks, at least look out the peep hole.

Ironton had its opportunities but the Fighting Tigers were unable to capitalize in a 5-1 season opening loss to the West Jefferson Roughriders on Sunday.

“We just did not adjust to the game as it was being played,” said Ironton coach John Hunt. “We had plenty of chances, but we watched too many called third strikes in crucial situations.”

The Roughriders (1-0) took a 2-0 lead in the first inning.

Blake Bogenrife singled, stole second and scored on a hit by Owen Anderson. Brett Bogenrife got a one-out walk and stole second with Anderson going to third base where he scored on a throwing error.

The lead went to 3-0 in the third when Brett Bogenrife doubled, Braden Hesson was hit by a pitch and Keegan Forman and Lincoln Parsons walked to force home the second run.

West Jefferson went up 5-0 in the fourth when Blake Bogenrife led off with a double, went to third on a hit by Anderson and scored on a wild pitch. Brody York was hit by a pitch Brett Bogenrife.

Ironton got its only run in the fifth without the aid of a hit.

Braydon Baker and Jacob Hughes walked, Ethan Sutton was hit by a pitch, and Zander Hurn walked to force home Baker.

Ironton had five hits with Dawson Philyaw going 1-1 with a double, Hughes 1-2, Carson Freeman 1-3, and Tanner Kleinman and Bryson Kerns were 1-4 each.

Baker got the loss as he worked the first 3.2 innings allowing six hits, five earned runs with seven strikeouts and zero walks. Hughes finished and struck out six with one walk and no hits.

Brett Bogenrife started and got the win as he went three innings striking out five, walked two and no runs. Colton Kincade went the final four innings giving up one hit, one earned run with six strikeouts and four walks.

Blake Bogenrife was 2-4 with a double, Anderson 2- with an RBI, and Brett Bogenrife 1-2 with a double.

Ironton finished last season 19-4 winning the Ohio Valley Conference title for the first time and advanced to the regional finals.

Hunt said the team is not where it needs to be at this early stage of the season.

“Well, we are behind as far as where we need to be at this point,” said Hunt.

“The weather we have had has not allowed us to be outside as much as we really need to be, so there is still a bit of tweaking to see what will be our best lineup and defense going forward. We have good talent and the boys work hard. We will be fine.”

Ironton visits Wheelersburg at 5 p.m. on Thursday.

W. Jefferson 201 200 0 = 5 6 0

Ironton 000 010 0 = 1 5 1

Brett Bogenrife, Colton Kincade (4) and Blake Bogenrife. Braydon Baker, Jacob Hughes (4) and Ethan Sutton. W-Bogenrife (W-3.0, H-4, R-0, K-5, BB-2). Save-Kincade (IP-4.0, H-1, R-1, ER-1, K-6, BB-4). L-Baker (IP-3.2, H-6, R-5, ER-5, K-7, BB-3). Hughes (IP-3.1, H-0, R-0, K-6, BB-1). Hitting–West Jefferson: Blake Bogenrife 2-4 2B, Owen Anderson 2-4 RBI, Brett Bogenrife 1-2 2B, Ayden Cordle 1-3 RBI; Ironton: Tanner Kleinman 1-4, Jacob Hughes 1-2, Bryson Kerns 1-4, Carson Freeman 1-3, Dawson Philyaw 1-1 2B.