Ironwood wins first softball game of season

HAYWARD, Wis. — The Ironwood Red Devil softball team won its first game of the season Tuesday, defeating Hayward 17-8.

“We’re happy to get started and get a win,” said first-year coach Tim Routheaux. “We only had nine players due to solo ensemble and some injuries, so we had a lot of girls in new positions. They did a nice job.”

Freshman Taylor Mylly earned the win for Ironwood. “She did a really good job,” Routheaux said.

Hayward jumped out to an early 4-0 lead by the second inning as Ironwood helped with errors.

“We had three errors in the first inning, some early jitters,” Routheaux said. “But by the third inning they settled in and really took off.”

Ironwood’s Jamey Bastman had a key 2-RBI single in a three-run fourth inning for the Red Devils.

Ironwood scored five more runs in the fifth inning to lead 8-4, thanks to two more RBI by Bastman.

Hayward’s pitchers helped with several walks as Ironwood scored four more runs in the sixth inning and five more in the seventh inning.

“Their pitchers began to tire. We had 13 runs off walks,” Routheaux said.

Bastman finished 3-for-4 with a walk and six RBI.

Ironwood (1-0) travels to a tournament at the Superior Dome in Marquette on Friday. The Red Devils play at 1, 4 and 7 p.m. (EDT) against other U.P. high schools.

“It will be a nice opportunity to get some games,” Routheaux said.

Ironwood 000 354 5 — 17 4 8

Hayward 310 013 0 — 8 5 3