Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

It was about the start and finish for Coal Grove.

The Hornets scored three runs in the first inning and four in the eighth inning as they got past the Ironton Fighting Tigers 7-4 on Thursday in an Ohio Valley Conference game.

Coal Grove (8-9) got four runs in the first inning and three in the eighth inning to beat the Ironton Fighting Tigers 7-4 on Thursday in an Ohio Valley Conference game.

“We played pretty well. Our pitching was pretty good and we really hit the ball well in the eighth inning,” said coach Dean Mader whose team won its fourth in a row.

“We’re playing pretty well right now and that’s good going into the tournament.”

Chase McKnight, Jacob Clark and Daniel Rutherford all singled to begin the game for the first run. Isaac Howard then doubled for two runs and Sam Angelo singled in the fourth run.

Ironton (10-10) began to chip away with a run in the third.

Cody Rawlins doubled, went to third on a wild pitch and scored on Dane Wilson’s sacrifice fly.

The Fighting Tigers got a run in the fifth on walks to Wilson and Bryce Thomas and Garrett Carrico’s RBI single.

Ironton scored twice in the bottom of the seventh to force extra innings.

With one out, Wilson reached on an error, Thomas walked, and Jake Isaac and Hunter Klaiber had RBI singles.

“Our team did not panic when we were down 4-0 in the first. I was proud of the way they maintained their composure and battled back to tie the game in the bottom of the seventh,” said Ironton coach Larry Goodwin.

“However, walks proved to be the deciding factor in the eighth.”

Coal Grove got a leadoff single by Darin Bloomfield and then Angelo and Coel Gannon walked to load the bases. McKnight singled in a run and Clark hit a sacrifice fly.

Jeb Jones got the win in relief. He struck out four, walked one, gave up three hits and two unearned runs in 3.1 innings.

Larry Morris worked six innings and took the loss. He fanned eight but walked seven. He gave up just two hits and three earned runs.

On Friday, Coal Grove visits Fairland and Ironton goes to Ashland, Ky. The Fighting Tigers host Portsmouth on Monday.

Coal Grove 400 000 03 = 7 7 3

Ironton 001 010 20 = 4 6 2

Daniel Rutherford, Jeb Jones (5) and Jeb Jones, Daniel Rutherford (5). Dane Wilson, Larry Morris (3) and Bryce Thomas. W-Jones (IP-3.1, R-2, ER-0, H-3, K-4, BB-1). Rutherford (IP-4.2, K-7, BB-4, R-2, ER-2, H-3, HBP-1). L-Morris (IP-6.0, K-8, BB-7, H-2, R-3, ER-3). Hitting-CG: Chase McKnight 2-5 rbi-2, Jacob Clark 1-4 rbi, Daniel Rutherford 1-3 rbi-2, Isaac Howard 1-4 rbi 2B, Darin Bloomfield 1-2, Sam Angelo 1-3 rbi; Ironton: Dane Wilson 1-2 rbi, Garrett Carrico 1-3, Jake Isaac 1-4 rbi, Hunter Klaiber 2-3 rbi, Cody Rawlins 1-4 2B.