South Point is 1-7 against Ironton since April of 2019 but they'll have a chance to close the gap a little bit on Monday. The Pointers are taking a road trip to challenge the Fighting Tigers at 5:30 p.m. South Point is coming into the contest hot, having won their last three games.
South Point can't be too worried about heading out to take on Ironton: they just beat Greenup County at home, who had been dominant on their own field up to that point. The Pointers' pitcher stepped up to hand the Musketeers a 5-0 shutout on Saturday.
Kota Copley made a splash while hitting and pitching. She didn't allow a single earned run over seven innings pitched. She has been nothing but reliable on the mound: she hasn't given up a single earned run in three consecutive appearances. She was also solid in the batter's box, going 2-for-4 with two runs and one stolen base.
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Kaylee Stidham, who went 1-for-3 with one home run, three RBI, and two runs.
Meanwhile, Ironton sure made it a nail-biter, but they managed to escape with a 4-2 win over Dawson-Bryant on Friday. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest victory the Fighting Tigers have posted against the Hornets since April 7, 2022.
Ava Bihl spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered only one earned (and one unearned) run on six hits and racked up 14 Ks.
At the plate, Khamil Martin was incredible, going a perfect 3-for-3 with one home run, two runs, and one double. Ryleigh Kouns also deserves some recognition as she snagged her first stolen base of the season.
South Point's record is now 16-6. As for Ironton, their record now sits at 14-6.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Monday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. South Point has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 9.5 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Ironton struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 10.6 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
South Point couldn't quite finish off Ironton when the teams last played back in April and fell 2-0. Can the Pointers avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
