Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

SOUTH POINT — Since a playing field is called a diamond, it was only fitting that Lexi Smith pitched a jewel of a game and Haley Rawlins kept up her stone crushing ways.

Smith fired a two-hitter and Rawlins continued her torrid hitting as the South Point Lady Pointers downed the Ironton Lady Fighting Tigers 9-1 in an Ohio Valley Conference game on Tuesday.

“We played a great game on senior night. Lexi Smith pitched a gem,” said Lady Pointers’ coach Tanner Heaberlin. “Our defense was superb and our bats really woke up tonight.”

The offense had 13 hits led by Rawlins who was 4-for-5 with a grand slam home run — her third in a week — and a double and five runs batted in.

Abbey Winkler was 2-3, Emilee Powell 2-4 and Smith 2-5 for the Lady Pointers (10-8, 6-6).

“I couldn’t be more proud of the team effort we had tonight. I’m glad we sent the seniors out like we did at home,” said Heaberlin.

A walk to Winkler, a sacrifice by Smith and an RBI double by Rawlins started a three-run first inning. Halie Power reached on an error and Emilee Powell and Leah Lawson had run-scoring singles.

The Lady Pointers made it 7-0 in the second inning on singles by Keiana Conwell, Winkler and Smith to load the bases and then Rawlins crushed her grand slam.

Ironton got its run in the top of the third when Kylie Barcus singled, stole second and third and scored on a passed ball.

South Point got the run right back in the bottom of the inning on a walk to Winkler, Smith’s double and Rawlins’ base hit.

The final Lady Pointers’ run scored in the sixth when Conwell reached on an error, moved up on an error, Rawlins singled and Halie Powell hit a sacrifice fly.

Barcus and Zjaytia Black-Mize had Ironton’s hits.

Ironton 001 000 0 = 1 2 3

South Point 341 001 x = 9 13 0

Kylee Metzger and Kenzie Cremeens. Lexi Smith and Emilee Powell. W-Smith (K-3). L-Metzger. Hitting—Ironton: Kylie Barcus 1-3, Zjaytia Black-Mize 1-3; SP: Abbey Winkle 2-3, Lexi Smith 2-5, Haley Rawlins 4-5 HR 2B rbi-5, Halie Powell 1-3, Emilee Powell 2-4, Leah Lawson 1-3, Keiana Conwell 1-3.