Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

SOUTH POINT — The title drive is complete.

South Point Lady routed the River Valley Lady Raiders 12-2 in six innings Wednesday to clinch the Lady Pointers second straight Ohio Valley Conference softball title.

South Point had 13 hits to back the one-hit pitching of senior Kaitlyn Brown who also racked up seven strikeouts.

“We got another great pitching performance from Kaitlyn Brown. I can’t say enough about this group of seniors,” said South Point coach Tanner Heaberlin referring to Andi Kleinman, Hannah Carey, Bonnie Hileman, Jessika Majher and Brown who were 18-2 in the OVC the past two seasons.

“They are all leaders in their own way and have won a lot of games during their time. I’m extremely luck to have coached them these past two years and all the other girls on the team. This is a special team and I’m very proud and happy for everyone on the team.”

South Point took a 3-0 lead in the first inning on singles by Winkler, Haley Rawlins, Sylvia Griffith, a two-run double by Kleinman and an RBI double by Brown.

River Valley got its only two runs in the third inning on an error and a two-run homer by Chelsea Copley and it was 3-2.

South Point got a run in the fourth on a hit by Winkler, Rawlins’ walk and a wild pitch.

The Lady Pointers erupted for six runs in the fifth.

Kleinman doubled, Brown and Halie Powell walked and Emilee Powell singled for a run.

Brown and Haile Powell each scored on a wild pitch, Winkler singled for a run, and Rawlins and Griffith both reached on errors to produce two more runs.

The final two runs scored in the sixth.

Brown doubled, Hileman and Halie Powell each walked and a wild pitch scored Brown. Majher sacrifice bunt scored the final run.

Winkler, Kleinman and Brown were all 3-4 and Griffith was 2-3.

South Points hosts Portsmouth Friday at 5 p.m. in the sectional tournament.

River Valley 002 000 = 2 1 2

South Point 300 162 = 12 13 1

Ashley Gilmore and Libby Leach. Kaitlyn Brown and Andi Kleinman. W-Brown (K-7). L-Gilmore. Hitting-RV: Chelsea Copley 1-3 rbi-2; SP: Abbey Winkler 3-4, Haley Rawlins 1-2, Sylvia Griffith 2-3, Andi Kleinman 3-4, Kaitlyn Brown 3-4, Emilee Powell 1-2. 2B-SP: Andi Kleinman 2, Kaitlyn Brown 2. HR-RV: Chelsea Copley.