Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

It sounds simple: Put the bat on the ball.

What sounds simple proved difficult against Coal Grove’s Daniel Rutheford who struck out 11 in the Hornets 6-3 come-from-behind win over the Ironton Fighting Tigers Wednesday.

“We have to go back and work on our two-strike approach at the plate,” said Ironton coach Larry Goodwin.

“We cannot have 11 strikeouts and expect to win. If you have 11 strikeouts, you left the defense off the hook. They only had to make 10 plays in the field and several of those were fly outs. You have to eliminate strikeouts and put the ball in play. We just did not get it done.”

Rutherford didn’t walk a batter and gave up five hits in the complete game win.

Luke Diamond pitched well in defeat. He struck out five and walked three.

Ironton (4-14) broke the scoreless tie with two runs in the second inning.

With one out, Lucas Campbell was hit by a pitch, Hunter Weber doubled and Dane Wilson had a two-run single.

The Fighting Tigers made it 3-0 in the third when Trevor Easterling reached on an error, Luke Kelly put down a sacrifice and Diamond doubled him home.

The Hornets (11-6) took the lead with a five-run fourth inning.

Jesse Rigsby was hit by a pitch, Conor Markins singled, Travis Carey had an RBI single and D.J. Miller delivered a two-run single.

Miller moved up on a passed ball, Dylan Malone singled and Miller scored on another passed ball. Malone scored on a sacrifice fly by Jacob Clark.

Ironton threatened in the bottom of the inning when Tanner Price singled, stole second, went to third on a passed ball but was left stranded as Rutherford struck out the next three batters.

Coal Grove added an insurance run in the sixth when Miller was hit by a pitch and Malone and Luke McGraw singled.

“One thing is for certain, we will keep working and remain positive,” said Goodwin.

Ironton plays in the Rock Nelson Wooden Bat Classic at Portsmouth West on Saturday.

Coal Grove 000 501 0 = 6 9 2

Ironton 021 000 0 = 3 5 0

Daniel Rutherford and Jesse Rigsby. Luke Diamond and Hunter Weber. W-Rutherford (K-11, BB-0, ER-2). L-Diamond (K-5, BB-3, ER-5). Hitting-CG: Jesse Rigsby 1-2, Conor Markins 1-4, Travis Carey 2-3 rbi, D.J. Miller 2-3 rbi-2, Dylan Malone 2-4, Luke McGraw 1-1 rbi; Ironton: Luke Diamond 1-3 rbi, Hunter Weber 1-3, Dane Wilson 2-3 rbi-2, Tanner Price 1-3. 2B-Ironton: Hunter Weber, Luke Diamond. Sac-Ironton: Luke Kelly. LOB-Coal Grove 8, Ironton 5.