Inexperience plagues Lady Tigers in loss to Zane Trace

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ATHENS — There is an old cliché that says “Youth is wasted on the young.”

When it comes to sports, “Youth is the enemy of the young.”

Ironton has been a good team all season but sometimes that youth rears its ugly head and spoils their performance.

That was the case again on Wednesday as the Zane Trace Lady Pioneers held off the Lady Fighting Tigers 4-2 in the Division 5 district semifinals.

“This team has some talented players, but we only have two seniors. We’re really young and that was our biggest opponent today,” said Ironton coach Jim Dyer.

Zane Trace jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning and made it stand up.

Haylynn Boggess singled, Maddie Will walked and Brynn Wipert singled to load the bases.

Laynie Scott got a bunt single to plate the first run, and both Reagan Arthurs and Carlie Clark walked to force in a run.

Zane Trace (10-17) added an unearned run in the third inning when Wipert singled and scored on an error to go up 4-0.

Ironton (19-7) put together a rally in the bottom of the seventh only to fall short.

Khalil Martin had a leadoff home run and Kenley Neal later singled in a run before Zane Trace pitcher Brynn Wipert was able to retire the side and end the game.

Bihl went the distance and took the loss as she had periods when she struggled with her control. Bihl only gave up 7 hits and 3 earned as she struck out 7 but walked 5.

Wiper got the win as she gave up 4 hits, 2 earned runs with 9 strikeouts and no walks.

Neal was 1-1 with an RBI while Martin, Bihl and Miley Bias all went 1-3 for Ironton. Martin had a home run and Bihl a double.

Zane Trace 301 000 0 = 4 7 1

Ironton 000 000 2 = 2 4 1

Brynn Wipert and Haylynn Boggess. Ava Bihl and Jenna Compliment. W–Wipert (IP-7.0, H-4, R-2, ER-2, K-9, BB-0). L–Bihl (IP-7.0, H-7, R-4, ER-3, K-7, BB-5). Hitting–Zane Trace: Haylynn Boggess 2-4, Brynn Wipert 2-2 2B, Laynie Scott 1-4 RBI, Reagan Arthurs 2-2 RBI; Ironton: Khamil Martin 1-3 RBI HR, Miley Bias 1-3, Ava Bihl 1-3 2B, Kenley Neal 1-1 RBI.