The gap is closing.

The Gallipolis Blue Angels are the defending SEOAL South Division champions and headed for a second straight title. But the Ironton Lady Fighting Tigers are making it tough on the Blue Angels.

Gallipolis won back-to-back games against Ironton on Wednesday and Thursday, but the Lady Tigers made things interesting as they lost 10-4 and 12-10.

“Gallipolis is a solid team both at bat and in the field,” said Ironton coach Missy Fields. “We have improved each game played them and (Thursday) we gave them all they wanted.”

On Wednesday, each team had nine hits but Ironton was guilty of six errors in the 10-4 loss.

Mercedes Crockrel went 4-for-4 to lead Ironton. Janie Morris belted a double.

Both teams had six errors in Thursday’s game, but four of Ironton’s errors came in the third inning when Gallipolis scored eight runs.

“The third inning was horrendous with three errors, a walked and a wild pitch, but we continued to battle back. We are working hard to continue to improve the tournament,” said Fields.

Ironton out-hit Gallipolis 13-to-12 with Emily Lilly going 2-3,

Sara Jones, Nikki Elswick and Crockrel 2-4, and Brea Tackett 2-5.

The loss went to Jones who struck out three and walked only one.

“Sara Jones had a good game on the mound,” said Fields.

Lilly, Ironton’s catcher, suffered an ankle injury on Thursday and was forced to leave the game.

Wednesday’s Game

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Ironton1200100=496

Davis and Ward, Day (7). Karlie Collins and Emily Lilly. W-Davis (5-K, 1-BB). L-Collins (3-K, 1-BB). 2B-Ironton: Janie Morris; Gallipolis: Saunders. 3B-Gallipolis: Niday. Hitting-Ironton: Edi Taylor 1-4, Mercedes Crockrel 4-4, Sara Jones 1-4, Janie Morris 1-4, Brea Tackett 1-3, Karlie Collins 1-3; Gallipolis: Cunningham 1-4, Davis 2-5, Shriver 2-4, Saunders 1-4, Niday 2-4, Farney 1-3

Thursday’s Game

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Gallipolis208020x=12126

Sara Jones and Emily Lilly, Stephanie Diamond (5). Davis and Ward. W-Davis (3-K, 1-BB). L-Jones (3-K, 1-BB). 2B-Edi Taylor, Janie Morris; Gallipolis: Saunders, Shriver. Hitting-Ironton: Edi Taylor 1-4, Brea Tackett 2-5, Mercedes Crockrel 2-4, Janie Morris 1-5, Emily Lilly 2-3, Karlie Collins 1-4, Sara Jones 2-4, Nikki Elswick 2-4; Gallipolis: Cunningham 2-4, Shriver 2-4, Miller 1-4, Saunders 3-4, Niday 1-3, Campbell 1-4.