Brock Netter, Editor
Southern Ohio Sports Authority is presented by OhioHealth.
ATHENS — Ian Ginger was not going to be denied.
Two years ago, he was a part of the Ironton team that fell just short in a district final loss to Wheelersburg.
His team trusted him in the biggest spot of its season, and the senior ace delivered a masterpiece.
Tossing a complete game, two-hit shutout, his pitching was the driving force behind a 4-0 win over Minford (10-10), claiming Ironton’s first district title since 2003.
“It really is a surreal feeling like no other. Knowing that we broke the 22-year streak of not winning a district was really a great feeling of accomplishment,” Ginger said. “A big key that I really stuck with was a ‘Why not us’ mentality. I was relaxed, loose and I had my best stuff. We all brought our best stuff. I had huge faith in all of my pitches, especially fastball and slider, and I knew that we would come out with the win.”
After a scoreless first inning, Ironton (18-3) drew a pair of walks and a single to load the bases. Carter Bridges stepped up and notched a sacrifice fly, which was followed by an RBI single from Carson Freeman to make it 2-0.
That was all Ginger truly needed on the night, but his teammates gave him extra support.
CREDIT: Erica Fike/SOSA
In the bottom of the sixth, Ginger and Jacob Highes opened with a pair of singles before advancing 90 feet on a passed ball. That set up Tanner Klienman to rope a two-run single, providing the final score and a district title to go with it.
“This team is unlike no other team that we have had before. This team is truly a brotherhood and each of us want to win,” Ginger said. “We deserve this. We have been in the cages three days a week and in the weight room since September. So I knew this year would be different.”
Following Ginger’s day on the bump, Klienman finished 2-for-3 with two RBIs, while Freeman and Bridges each had a hit and an RBI.
While Minford’s season comes to an end, Ironton moves onto a Division V regional semifinal against Fairfield Cincinnati Christian, who beat Carlisle 4-0 to win the Southwest Region.
That game will happen at 5 p.m., Tuesday at Mason High School.
“Trusting in each other like we have before is the biggest thing we can do,” Ginger said. “I truly believe we have the talent to bring back home a state title this year. It’s been 53 years, so it’s time.”
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