Tigers blank Trojans in early OVC showdown

IRONTON — Ironton Fighting Tigers head coach John Hunt must have bought a lot of white paint for his team. They keep white washing their opponents.

Pitcher Jacob Hughes waved the paint brush on Wednesday as he threw a four-hit shutout and Ironton blanked the Portsmouth Trojans 4-0 in an Ohio Valley Conference game.

The shutout was the third straight for Ironton and the second for Hughes who threw a two-hit shutout against Wheelersburg last Thursday.

“In short, great pitching wins, Jacob has been huge both games he has pitched,” said Hunt.

“Defensively, we are coming around. We’re still too timid at the plate early in the count. We’re still watching too many called third strikes.”

Hughes struck out nine and walked three against the Trojans and he also went 1-3 at the plate with three runs batted in.

Ironton (3-1, 2-0) has a string of 24 scoreless innings dating back to the final three innings of the season opener against West Jefferson.

Portsmouth (3-4, 1-1) got a solid pitching performance from Trevin Brooks who went six innings allowing five hits and three earned runs. He struck out five, walked three and hit two batters.

Ironton got a run in the first inning without the aid of a hit.

Bryson Kerns walked, Ethan Sutton was hit by a pitch, a ground moved the runners up and Hughes grounded out as Kerns scored.

The Fighting Tigers got a run in the fourth when Tanner Kleinman reached on an error, Carter Bridges got an infield hit and Dawson Dawson got a base hit to center field to drive in the run.

Two more runs scored in the fifth when Kerns walked, Braydon Baker got a base hit, the pair pulled off a double steal and Hughes delivered a one-out, two-run single to center.

Philyaw was 2-2 with an RBI to pace the offense with Bridges and Baker both 1-3.

Owen Wells was 2-2 and Jacob Roth and Landon Malone 1-3 for the Portsmouth hits.

On Friday, Ironton visits Chesapeake and Portsmouth goes to Gallia Academy.

Portsmouth 000 000 0 = 0 4 1

Ironton 100 120 x = 4 5 0

Trevin Brooks and Jacob Roth. Jacob Hughes and Ethan Sutton. W-Hughes (IP-7.0, H-4, R-0, K-9, BB-3). L-Brooks (IP-6.0, H-5, R-4, ER-3, K-5, BB-3, HBP-2). Hitting–Portsmouth: Jacob Roth 1-3, Landon Malone 1-3, Owen Wells 2-2; Ironton: Dawson Philyaw 2-2 RBI, Carter Bridges 1-3, Braydon Baker 1-3, Jacob Hughes 1-3 3-RBI.