Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

COAL GROVE — The bats are continuing to ring.

The Coal Grove Hornets pounded out 16 hits as their offense continued to produce as they outscored the Oak Hill Oaks 11-10 on Monday for their sixth straight win and seventh in eight games.

“It wasn’t pretty, but we held on and got the win. We hit the ball well and Jeb (Jones) threw well for most of the game. The big thing is we won again and we’re continuing to play well,” said Hornets’ coach Dean Mader.

Daniel Rutherford and Sam Angelo both went 4-for-4 to lead the Hornets offense. Rutherford had a double and a home run.

Chase McKnight was 2-3, Jacob Clark 2-4 with a triple and Isaac Howard also went 2-4.

Shane Spriggs was 3-4 and Matt Gilliland 2-3 for the Oaks.

McKnight singled and Rutherford doubled as the Hornets went up 1-0.

The Oaks tied the game in the top of the fourth when Spriggs singled, moved up on a passed ball and scored on Gilliland’s base hit.

But Coal Grove took the lead for good with three runs in the bottom of the inning.

Cole Gannon singled with two outs, McKnight walked and Clark hit a two-run triple. Rutherford singled to drive in Clark.

Coal Grove erupted for six runs in the fifth.

Howard singled, moved up on a passed ball and Angelo singled him home. Gannon reached on an error and Angelo stole home.

McKnight singled home a run, Clark singled and Rutherford launched a three-run homer.

Oak Hill rallied to get within 10-6 in the sixth.

Cody Swann was hit by a pitch, Spriggs singled, Gilliland was hit by a pitch, Riley Kuhn and Clutters singled, Gavin Jonas reached on an error and Walls singled.

The Hornets got what proved to be the winning run in the bottom of the inning when Dylan Malone walked and Darin Bloomfield and Angelo singled.

The Oaks scored four runs in the seventh only to fall short.

Swann, Tyler Walls and Spriggs all singled for a run and Gilliland doubled in two runs. A wild pitch sent Gilliland to third.

McKnight came on in relief and struck out the next two batters but the second strikeout required a throw to first base that allowed Gilliland to score.

McKnight walked the next batter but then recorded a strikeout to end the game.

Coal Grove travels to Wellston on Wednesday for a Division III sectional tournament game.

Oak Hill 000 105 4 = 10 8 2

Coal Grove 100 361 x = 11 16 3

Michael Hayes, Shane Spriggs (5), Matt Gilliland (6) and Matt Gilliland, Michael Hayes (6). Jeb Jones, Dylan Malone (6), Chase McKnight (7) and Daniel Rutherford. W-Jones (IP-5.1, K-3, BB-1, HBP-2, H-3, R-4. Malone (IP-0.2, R-6, H-5, K-1, BB-2). Save-McKnight (IP-1, K-4, BB-1). L-Hayes (IP-4, R-4, H-9, K-4, BB-4). Spriggs (IP-1, R-6, H-5, K-1, BB-1). Gilliland (IP-1, R-1, H-2, K-1, BB-1). Hitting-OH: Shawn Spriggs 3-4, Matt Gilliland 2-3 2B, Riley Kuhn 1-4, Clutters 1-3, Jonah Walls 1-3; CG: Chase McKnight 2-3, Jacob Clark 2-4 3B, Daniel Rutherford 4-4 2B HR, Isaac Howard 2-4, Darin Bloomfield 1-3, Sam Angelo 4-4, Cole Gannon 1-4.