PINE GROVE - Just as the weather started to cool down, the Ironton Fighting Tigers golf team began to heat up.

Ironton fired a 151 team score to easily defeat the Portsmouth Trojans by 20 strokes Thursday at the Ironton Country Club.

"That's our best score at home in three years. We're doing what I hoped we'd being doing right now. We're playing well as a team. I know it's an old cliche', but it's that simple," Ironton coach Jeff Kerns said.

Nick Boggess sizzled with a par 35 to take medalist honors. Dennis Gagai was just one shot behind at 36. Seth Christian and Jay Rudmann each carded rounds of 40.

"Seth was in great shape and had a bad last hole. He was right there with Nick and Dennis," Kerns said.

Also playing for Ironton were Seth Haynes with a solid 42 and Gavin Harbolt shot a 50.

Charlie Doll led Portsmouth with a 39. Four other golfers shot a 44.

Ironton, now 36-12, will be at home Monday against Greenup County, Ky. The Fighting Tigers are scheduled to play at Gallipolis on Tuesday but the Blue Devils course could be under water. Saturday is a 16-team invitational at Meigs.

Kerns hopes his team will get to play every match with the sectional tournament next Tuesday at Shawnee Golf Club.

"The more we play, the better we play," Kerns said.