COAL GROVE — Playing both ways in football must have had an effect on Daniel Rutherford in baseball as well.

When a flurry of teams came calling for Rutherford to play baseball, his desire to play outfield and pitch was a key factor in his decision.

That decision resulted with the Coal Grove Hornets’ senior outfielder and pitcher signing a letter-of-intent with the West Virginia State Yellow Jackets on Monday.

Marshall, Ashland University, Rio Grande, Walsh, Shawnee State, Ohio Dominican, Carson-Newman, Indiana Wesleyan, the University of Charleston and Walters State — one of the top-ranked junior college teams in the country — all came calling.

“Marshall was my first choice but the financial issues sort of forced me to look at other options,” said Rutherford who eventually decided on the Yellow Jackets. “I went on a visit (to WVSU) and I just felt it was the right place for me. We hit it off with their head coach and recruiting coordinator. They gave me an offer I just couldn’t turn down.

Besides the financial aspects, quality of talent and program success, Rutherford said head coach Sean Loyd and his staff influenced his decision because they would allow him to pursue his career both as a pitcher and outfielder.

“That’s one decision I went with them is because they wanted me to be a two-way guy. That’s what I was looking for in a college and that’s why I could turn away from Division I level because most of my looks there were as a pitcher,” said Rutherford.

“They said you just have to focus on my development on both sides of the ball because it’s a grind once you get to college. But I told them I couldn’t’ promise them performance but I promised them I would have the best work ethic that they could ask for out of a kid.”

If focus and work ethic have anything to do with Rutherford’s success at the college level, Hornets’ head coach Dean Mader says the four-year standout should have no problem adjusting.

“He’s been a huge part of our program. He’s hit in the three spot since he was a 10th grader and started as a 9th grader. I’ve coached Daniel since the seventh grade. Hardest working kid as I’ve ever been around,” said Mader. “Every day in the summer I had to throw batting practice. I must have thrown tens of thousands of pitches over the course of his career getting in extra reps. He’s just a real quality kid and a great athlete. He’s played other sports and he does really well academically. He’ll be successful both on and off the field in college.”

Rutherford understands the chance he may have to make a decision in the future whether to play everyday or pitch whenever he is needed, either as a starter or reliever or both.

“Really, if it came down to it. I’d probably pick an outfielder. That’s kind of why I didn’t pick a Division I level. I knew going in that I was going to be a pitcher. I just told them I wanted to have the opportunity going in and they agreed.”

Rutherford is undecided about a major but said “I’m leaning toward being a teacher and a coach.

“I want to get a degree and take (baseball) as far as I can possibly take it. I just want to continue to develop and be the best teammate and person representing the school.”

Daniel is the son of Dave and Angela Rutherford.