Sheridan, Ironton shut down Pointers in key OVC showdown

SOUTH POINT — Just call him “Shutdown” Sheridan.

With Ironton trailing 3-0 and the bases loaded in the first inning, Tommy Sheridan came on in relief and got the final out and went on to pitch scoreless baseball the rest of the game as the Fighting Tigers downed the South Point Pointers 11-3 in an Ohio Valley Conference game on Thursday.

“Tommy Sheridan did a great job. He came in and threw strikes and gave us a chance and we were able to take advantage of our scoring chances,” said Ironton coach Travis Wylie.

Ironton's Tommy Sheridan lays down a bunt during Thursday's OVC game between the South Point Pointers. (Photo by Tim Gearhart)

Sheridan worked 6.1 innings giving up 2 hits while striking out 5 and walking just one.

South Point (7-5, 3-2) came out strong by taking a 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning.

With one out, Kaden Layman walked, Brayden Hanshaw reached on an error, Joey Lobaldo walked and Layman scored on a passed ball.

After a force out at home, Blaine Freeman walked to load the bases and Xavier Haney lined the first pitch for a 2-run double.

Sheridan came on in relief and got a ground out to end the inning.

Ironton (8-5, 5-3) came back with 2 runs in the bottom of the inning.

Connor Kleinman was hit by a pitch, Jon Wylie singled, Brady Moatz was hit by a pitch to load the bases and Braydon Baker got a 2-out, 2-run singled.

South Point's Ethan Layne (5) tries to lay down a tag as Ironton's Jon Wylie (8) slides into second base during Thursday's OVC game. (Photo by Tim Gearhart)

The Fighting Tigers took the lead with 5 runs in the third inning.

Wylie led off with a double and scored on a triple by Chaydan Kerns. Baker singled home Kerns as Ironton took the lead for good.

Dawson Philyaw got a 2-out walk and Sheridan singled for a run. Ian Ginger then lined a 2-run single to cap the rally.

Ironton tacked on 3 more in the fifth inning to lead 10-3.

Baker walked, Tanner Kleinman hit into a force out, Philyaw singled, Sheridan hit into a fielder’s choice and Ginger singled home pinch-runner Nate Sloan.

Connor Kleinman followed with a single to drive in the final 2 runs.

The Fighting Tigers added a run in the sixth when Moatz was hit by a pitch, Jayson Maddy and Philyaw walked and pinch-runner Bryson Kerns scored on a passed ball.

Ironton had 10 hits with Ginger going 2-4 with 3 RBI, Wylie 2-4 with a double, Connor Kleinman 1-3 with 2 RBI, Baker 2-3 with 3 RBI, Sheridan 1-3 with an RBI, Philyaw 1-1 and Chaydan Kerns 1-4 with a triple.

Haney was 1-3 with a double and 2 RBI, Gage Chapman 1-3 and Layne 1-4 to account for the Pointers’ 3 hits.

South Point 300 000 0 = 3 3 0

Ironton     205 031 x = 11 10 1

Ian Ginger, Tommy Sheridan (1) and Brady Moatz, Bryson Kerns (7). Kaden Layman, Xavier Haney (4), Blaine Freeman (6) and Gage Chapman. W-Sheridan (IP-6.1, H-2, R-0, K-5, BB-1). Ginger (IP-0.2, H-1, R-3, ER-0, K-0, BB-4). L-Layman (IP-3.0, H-7, R-7, ER-6, K-3, BB-2, HBP-2). Haney (IP-2.2, H-3, R-4, ER-3, K-2, BB-2, HBP-1). Freeman (IP-0.1, H-0, R-0, K-0, BB-1). Hitting-South Point: Ethan Layne 1-4 Gage Chapman 1-3, Xavier Haney 1-3 2-RBI 2B; Ironton: Ian Ginger 2-4 3-RBI, Connor Kleinman 1-3 2-RBI, Jon Wylie 2-4 2B, Chaydan Kerns 1-4 3B RBI, Braydon Baker 2-3 3-RBI, Dawson Philyaw 1-1, Tommy Sheridan 1-3 RBI.