Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

SOUTH POINT — The South Point Pointers proved that pitching and defense are the keys.
The Pointers got a three-hitter from Jonathan Henline and the defense made just one error in a 6-0 win over the Gallipolis Blue Devils in an Ohio Valley Conference game on Friday.
“We came out with high energy and maintained it throughout. Henline pitched a great game. Our defense played really well, especially our middle infield guys — shortstop Douglas Shaffer and second baseman Brody Blackwell.,” said Pointers’ coach Larry Goodwin.
“Offensively, we got some key hits and executed a few key plays.  It was a great team win.”
Gallipolis got good pitching from Kaden Thomas but the Blue Devils made five errors and led to four unearned runs.
The Pointers snapped a scoreless tie with a run in the third when Douglas Shaffer reached on an error, stole second, went to third on a throwing error and scored on a wild pitch.
South Point (4-0, 1-0) made it 4-0 in the fourth inning.
Ben Walls was safe on an error, Drew Smith singled and Brycen McCann reached on an error as the run scored. A missed third strike scored Smith and Brody Blackwell was safe on a two-out error as a run scored.
The final two runs scored in the sixth inning when Brandon Dillon walked and Shaffer and Blackwell had back-to-back RBI doubles.
South Point goes to Fairland on Monday.
Gallipolis    000    000    0    =    0    3    5
South Point    001    302    x    =    6    5    1
Kaden Thomas, Cole Davis (5) and Garrett McGuire. Jonathan Henline and Drake McClure. W-Henline (K-6, BB-1). L-Thomas (IP-4.0, H-2, R-4, ER-0, K-4, BB-3). Davis (IP-2.0, H-3, R-2, ER-2, BB-1). Hitting-Gallia: Wyatt Sipple 1-3, Braden Simms 1-2, Cole Davis 1-2; SP: Douglas Shaffer 1-4 2B rbi, Brody Blackwell 1-3 2B 2-rbi, Travis Dillon 1-4, Drake McClure 1-3, Drew Smith 1-3.