Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

COAL GROVE — To be continued…

The game between the Ironton Fighting Tigers and Coal Grove Hornets was too good not to have an ending.

When darkness halted production heading into the bottom of the seventh, the two teams agreed to finish the story on April 22 before their next meeting at Ironton.

The Fighting Tigers were leading the Ohio Valley Conference game 7-6.

“Both teams battled. It’s always fun to play Coal Grove. I enjoy the challenge. They have a good team,” said Ironton coach Larry Goodwin.

Ironton snapped a scoreless tie with a seven-run outburst in the top of the fourth inning.

With one out, Ethan Duncan walked, Kyle Kleinman singled and Chase Rowe was hit by a pitch to load the bases.

Bryce Thomas singled for a run Dane Wilson singled home two runs, Jake Isaac walked and Garrett Carrico singled in a run. Larry Morris capped the rally with a two-run double.

Coal Grove came back to get three runs in the bottom of the inning.

Darren Bloomfield and Jeb Jones singled to put runners on the corner and Bloomfield scored on a throwing error. Cole Gannon walked and Isaac Howard got a two-run double.

The Hornets cut the deficit to 7-6 in the fifth on a three-run homer by Daniel Rutherford after a single by Chase McKnight and a walk to Jacob Clark.

Coal Grove put two more runners on with no outs, but Larry Morris came on to work out of the jam.

Kleinman had a nice defensive play and Morris struck out two batters.

“We are improving. Our bunting and offensive execution is getting there. Kyle Kleinman made a really nice diving grab and Dane Wilson had two nice relay throws to home for outs,” said Goodwin.

Morris was 2-4 with a double and two RBIs and Thomas 2-4 to pace Ironton.

Rutherford went 2-3 with a double, home run and three RBIs. Clark and Jones each went 2-3.

“We hit the ball pretty well, we just have to start making the routine plays in the field. We’re in every game but our defense is hurting us,” said Hornets’ coach Dean Mader.

Ironton hosts Chesapeake on Friday and Coal Grove goes to Gallipolis on Saturday in league games.

Ironton 000 700 0 = 7 8 1

Coal Grove 000 330 z = 6 10 4

Game suspended in bottom of 7th due to darkness

Garrett Carrico, Larry Morris (5) and Bryce Thomas. Daniel Rutherford, Jeb Jones (7) and Jeb Jones, Daniel Rutherford (7). Carrico (IP-4, K-4, BB-4, R-6, ER-6, HBP-1). Morris (IP-2, K-3, BB-1, H-1). Rutherford (IP-6, K-12, BB-3, R-7, ER-7, H-8, HBP-1). Jones (IP-1,K-2, BB-1, HBP-1). Hitting-Ironton: Dane Wilson 1-4 rbi-2, Jake Isaac 1-4, Garrett Carrico 1-4 rbi, Larry Morris 2-4 2B rbi-2, Kyle Kleinman 1-4, Bryce Thomas 2-4; CG: Chase McKnight 1-3, Jacob Clark 2-3 2B, Daniel Rutherford 2-3 2B HR rbi-3, Darren Bloomfield 1-3, Jeb Jones 2-3, Dylan Malone 1-3, Isaac Howard 1-3 2B rbi-2.