PORTSMOUTH - It's only the third match of the season and the Ironton Fighting Tigers golf team is in midseason form.

Ironton scorched its way to a 15-stroke win over the Portsmouth Clay Panthers Monday at Shawnee Golf Course.

"You hope the guys are playing this way in the middle of the season or at the end of the year, but you don't expect it this early," Ironton coach Jeff Kerns said.

Let by senior Dennis Gagai with a 3-under par 34, Ironton had a 151 total to Clay's 166.

But Gagai wasn't alone.

Seth Christian fired a 1-under 36. Gavin Harbolt had a 40 and Nathan Kerns a 41 to round out the scoring. Also playing for Ironton were Blake Roth with a 47 and Jay Rudmann with a 49.

"That was

good effort. It's hard to ask for anything more. Obviously, we putted real well," coach Kerns said.

"We played the back nine and it's pretty tough. It was a great round and a great team score. I'm proud of them. They played well."

Ryan Hines shot an even par 37 to lead Clay.

Ironton, now 14-0 on the season, is at The Oaks Golf Course on Wednesday to face Russell, Ky., and plays in the Huntington (W.Va.) Invitational on Saturday.

Ironton (151): Dennis Gagai 34, Seth Christian 36, Gavin Harbolt 40, Nathan Kerns 41, Blake Roth 47, Jay Rudmann 49.

Portsmouth Clay (166):

Ryan Hines 37, Cam Thoroughman 42, Evan Keaton 43, Steven Pelphrey 44, Drew Oliver 45, Jon Gray 53.